Mr Heng Cho Choon’s letter “Equating piracy with theft ineffective” (April 25) puts the spotlight on the technological advancements in our digital age and related moral and legislative challenges in addressing copyright-related issues in the digital world.
We are heartened that Singaporeans are respectful of intellectual property (IP) rights. The 2014 IP Perception Survey results indicated that four in five Singaporeans agree it is important to protect IP rights and the works of IP creators.
Four in five are also aware that IP rights infringements could lead to civil and criminal liabilities under the law.
The main reasons cited as deterrents for not downloading from unauthorised sources and engaging in unauthorised file sharing include moral values and poor quality of content from illegitimate sources.
There is room for improvement. While we are served by good broadband internet access, and one can access content through many channels, it is still morally and legislatively important to ensure that downloaded or streamed content is from legitimate sources.
On the national front, Singapore adopts a multi-pronged approach towards online piracy, including the implementation of strong legislative frameworks, public education and creating awareness on legitimate channels. The race we are in takes into account the ever-changing digital terrain, as well as close engagement with and monitoring of measures introduced in other major jurisdictions, to address the global issue of online infringements.
For example, our Copyright Act was amended last year to provide rights holders with more options to exercise in cases of infringement.
Site blocking is one such option, which enables action to be taken against a website, instead of multiple actions against individual end users.
This is an ongoing process, and our commitment is to ensure that our IP regime remains sufficiently nimble to promote a balanced marketplace, one that seeks to protect the collective interests of rights holders, Internet service providers and rights users.
In navigating the rapidly advancing digital landscape, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore is also continually working towards making IP knowledge, skills and networks accessible to all.
Businesses and entrepreneurs could benefit from IP legal clinics, where experts advise on issues such as remedies and enforcement actions that one could adopt in dispute cases. They could also attend IP business clinics, which seek to connect external consultants with enquirers to address IP and related business concerns.
Also, copyright notices are published periodically on our corporate website to provide basic information for the public on specific topics of copyright law.
The respect and support of IP through the responsible consumption of content is a cornerstone in building Singapore’s success in a global knowledge economy.
Everyone has a role to play in this important area, so as to further engender creativity for a better quality of life and a better Singapore.
