The Darkest Moment
FADE IN:
INT. DINNING ROOM - NIGHT
The table clock displays 23:00. PETER and his WIFE begin to have dinner.
WIFE
The Bill I've been supporting
has become more controversial
than your Copyright Bill.
PETER (V.O.)
You must be referring to the
most recent one.
FLASHBACK
INT. TV STUDIO - DAY 1989
Cameras roll. A female ANCHOR (30s) interviews Peter (30s).
ANCHOR
What's "Blank tape levy"?
PETER
It's about a Government
levy upon the purchase of
a blank tape...
END FLASHBACK
Picking his chopsticks, Peter begins to eat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It was a possible law
reform option. Japan
took 14 years to arrive
at a "No" answer. Hong
Kong took less time
to come to the same
conclusion. Even if the
answer was "Yes", how
many consumers would
buy blank tapes these
days?
Peter takes a spoonful of soup.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Another controversial
issue was parallel
importation. It's about
importing genuine copyright
works such as DVDs into
a territory in direct
competition with its
exclusive licensee due
to price differentials.
Peter sees KAJI (the dog) waiting under the table.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Celebrities would protest
in Hong Kong streets. One
states publicly that he'd
immigrate elsewhere if
Hong Kong liberalizes
parallel imports.
Discreetly, Peter gives some food to Kaji.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I did defend the interest
of authors, performers
and investors. The end
result was that Hong
Kong's first localized
Copyright Law 1997 was
messy on that score.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Later, a video rental chain
went bust.
Peter then pulls his lips inwards.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Then, Hong Kong's trading
partners used Hong Kong
as a legal battle field by
demanding more legislative
changes in their favour.
Peter takes a big bite of a piece of steak.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I knew higher level of
protection would be tough
for Hongkongers who
were used to copying or
imitating. But I believed,
and am still do, that's
how Hong Kong can
develop a truly creative
culture - like the Greek
Phoenix mythology.
Swiftly, Peter finishes the steak.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The amendment Bill, to my surprise, was passed.
Subsequent publicity
aroused people's fear.
Due to the powerful
opposition, the law's
operation was suspended
in 2000 before it came
into effect.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As I was answerable and
responsible for the law, it
was the darkest moment
of my professional life as
a civil servant.
FLASHBACK
INT. LECTURE ROOM - DAY
Peter finishes speaking at the podium. As all the audience leave, a female HOST came up to chat with Peter.
HOST
You spoke your mind.
PETER (V.O.)
I did believe the harsh
legal sanctions against
copying would force
Hongkongers to engage
in intensive intellectual
activities, transforming
and uplifting themselves.
HOST
You're very bold.
END FLASHBACK
Peter consumes the soup, dripping off some on the table.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Subsequent piece-meal
legislative amendments
reinstated the effect of
the suspended law as
Hongkongers have
adapted to the change.
Peter finishes his dinner.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Then, another sector
wanted to copy works
of others for political fun.
They said they had the
freedom of expression;
and implicitly the right
to copy others' works.
They couldn't be freely
original in expressing
themselves.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
So, there're lots of public
debates, comparing apples
with pears...
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Peter's wife is about to get off the car.
PETER
I'll wait for you for dinner
as usual.
His wife doesn't respond.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Sitting behind his computer, Peter types.
PETER (V.O.)
Law-making seems to
be everybody's concern
these days. Let me
document a little of my law-making feelings.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) I believe every one can
be original if one tries.
I've been showcasing
myself, although nothing
original comes easy.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It's common sense the
law to protect creativity
shouldn't become a law
to condone copying.
The most recent copyright
amendment Bills weren't
passed either before or
after my retirement.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Contrary to others' perception,
I've been very happy with
the no amendment result, as
my original structural design
of Hong Kong's Copyright
regime remains intact.
Peter inserts a photo into his blog post.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The photo reflects how I
feel now being out of the law-
making politics!
Peter takes a look of the wall clock.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Let me go swimming
first. I'd be content if
my wife and I could have
dinner by 23:00 hrs!
FADE OUT. The End