Debated in Parliament on 21 Oct 2013.
Ms Janice Koh asked the Minister for Law (a) what are the Ministry's plans and timeframe to implement recommendations from the Media Convergence Review to address Singapore's copyright and digital piracy challenges; (b) what is the Government's position on (i) enhancing public education on online piracy, (ii) the provision of more legitimate content sources, and (iii) introducing site blocking as part of regulatory measures; and (c) whether a more robust legal framework is necessary to protect the creative sector and its rights owners.
Mdm Speaker, changing social norms and technological developments require us to review our approach to copyright protection. The Government agrees with the Media Convergence Review Panel that the problem of online piracy has to be addressed through a multi-pronged approach comprising (a) public education, (b) the promotion of legitimate digital content services, and (c) appropriate regulatory measures.
Consumer understanding of and respect for copyright is a key factor in combating online piracy. IPOS has been putting emphasis on public education to cultivate an IP-savvy and respecting population, through its flagship outreach initiative, the Honour Intellectual Property (HIP) Alliance. Recent initiatives
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include a Facebook Connect video application to engage the online community and an outreach to 150 Primary schools using an interactive skit to introduce students to the concept of honouring intellectual property from an early age. The annual World IP Day 2013 event, meant to heighten the public's awareness and respect for IP, was well-attended by more than 1,000 members of the public. These outreach activities are complemented by the IP Academy's training courses on copyright for students and professionals in relation to the online environment.
Making legal content available to consumers through a convenient platform and a reasonable price can reduce demand for infringing alternatives. Content owners have recognised this and have been exploring new content delivery models via the Internet or through mobile devices to allow access to content anytime anywhere. Local broadcasters have also been improving their content delivery models and launching various digital content services recently. For instance, MediaCorp launched "Toggle" in February 2013 so that consumers can access and enjoy MediaCorp's Free-To-Air TV content anytime anywhere.
The Ministry of Law and other agencies are currently deliberating the role of site blocking as a measure to help counter the ease of accessing copyright infringing material online. How we do this will need to be carefully considered. We are finalising our review and will be consulting the industry and public on the appropriate approach to site blocking in the coming months.
A sound and pro-business copyright framework requires the protection of the rights of rights owners, as well as the legitimate market access by consumers. Both objectives are crucial to a vibrant creative industry. We are reviewing our Copyright Act to ensure that our laws keep up with emerging technologies and social norms.
Thank you, Madam. I just have three supplementary questions. The first is, given that the consumption of online pirated material in Singapore is not insignificant, and, in fact, one of the highest in the Asia Pacific region, does the Government feel that this message needs to be reinforced, perhaps more visibly and strongly; and what else needs to be done in this area?
The second question is: what does the Government feel are the key drivers leading to people downloading content illegally online here? Is it the lack of or limited access to legitimate content sources and how much of that has to do with our content guidelines which limit the kind of content available in
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Singapore, therefore, inevitably pushing consumers to download, for example, uncensored films and TV programmes illegally?
Finally, evidence has shown that even when such content is provided in a timely manner, and affordable, there will still be people who will go ahead and download it illegally from pirated websites. What are some of the obstacles that the Ministry foresees in terms of allowing right holders to go to court to apply for orders for ISPs to block these specific sites so that these torrent sites are not so easily available to Singapore consumers?
Mdm Speaker, on the first question, the Member asked whether the Government feels that the message about copyright protection needs to be reinforced. The answer is "yes". The Government certainly does feel that this is a message that needs to be reinforced. As indicated earlier in my response, we agree with the Media Convergence Review report that public education is extremely important because it is important for people to know and understand the importance of honouring Intellectual Property, as well as respect the rights of the creators of the works.
On the second question as to what the Government feels are the key drivers, as indicated, it is a combination. Clearly, consumers desire to have access to content. If legitimate content is accessible at a reasonable price, then I think most people would be willing to go for that. There would always be those who may be inclined to access pirated material if it is free, but, by and large, if you have appropriate public education, and there is a general sense of respecting copyright and Intellectual Property rights, then people would be encouraged to move towards legitimate content, if it is made accessible. And, as indicated earlier, that is something that the Government is working towards with the content providers.
With respect to the last question, if I may clarify with the Member, she said that even if the content is provided, there are still illegal downloads. She had asked about some of the challenges. Could I clarify with the Member specifically what her question on that was?
Madam, my final supplementary question is, even with the availability of legitimate content sources, evidence, at least in other countries where there is site blocking, shows that people will still go ahead to download it for free – even if the content is available in a timely manner, and even if it is affordable. So, the question is, is site blocking, in this instance, a more effective way? It may not be the most perfect bullet to tackle the issue but
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it is an effective way of at least reducing the number of key pirated websites. Are there any challenges or obstacles to enforcing or implementing something like site blocking in Singapore?
Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for her clarification. It is fair to say that there is not any one single measure which, on its own, is a magic or silver bullet that will resolve online piracy. So, there will have to be a multi-pronged approach of public education, legitimate content and appropriate regulatory measures. On site blocking, that is certainly one measure and, as mentioned earlier, that is something that we are studying. The preliminary view is that site blocking can help to address the ease of accessing copyright infringing material on the Internet.
The International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI)'s Digital Music Report 2013 reported that within a year of five European countries imposing blocks on Pirate Bay, usage levels of the Pirate Bay site fell by about 69%. Site blocking is simple to administer and it targets the infringing sites instead of the end users.
The nature of online piracy is such that it is difficult to police and I do not think that even with site blocking it would be a 100% solution. But from what we have seen in the preliminary review, it is certainly one way that can reduce the online piracy.
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