Thais warned to beware of new Copyright Act

[webfact]

COPYRIGHT
Thais warned to beware of new Copyright Act
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE Ministry has urged people to study the details of the new Copyright Act carefully before sharing information online or trading second-hand products.

The new law will take effect on August 4. Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said it would have eight main features.

First, it will focus on tackling Internet plagiarism. It will attempt to protect creators of content published on the Internet and to keep up with changes in the way media content is used, and exploited. Any information sharing must give credit to the owner of the content or its copyright.

It will also stringently punish hackers or people who break passwords or use information without permission.

The law will also prevent improper use of other people's original content for commercial proposes. Violators will be subject to penalties, including fines and jail.

The Copyright Act will also give Internet service providers the right to abrogate their content or copyright in the case of violations.

Trade in second-hand products such as books is permissible.

The court has full authority to destroy seized illegal products, while it also has the right to call for compensation from violators or wrongdoers up to twice the value of the goods.

Apiradi warned people to make themselves aware of these aspects of the Copyright Act before sharing or trading any second-hand products, otherwise they could be subject to penalties. She expects fewer copyright violations after this law is enforced.

The ministry also hopes international businesses will see this act as an attempt to crack down on piracy, and it will encourage them to invest here.

According to the Intellectual Property Department, the law determines that individual wrongdoers will face fines of Bt10,000-Bt100,000, but if the illegal act was for commercial purposes, they could face a jail sentences of three months to two years and fines of Bt50,000-Bt400,000, or both.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thais-warned-to-beware-of-new-Copyright-Act-30265513.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-30

[slipperylobster]

Looks like I won't be downloading any more old episodes of "The Simpsons"

Still plenty of old episodes of many tv shows/movies on youtube...however.

For now..I am going to watch my back on this one.

[jaidam]

Good law for cracking down on refuse collectors eking out a pitiful existence, while of course the monied ones will still be punting their fake crap with impunity in the flashy malls. Prayuth needs more mirrors and much more smoke.

[Valentine]

I don't understand the problem with trading 2nd hand products. Classifieds throughout the world are full of ads for 2nd hand goods. Maybe the act is more about the first part, sharing information online.

[Brit_Doggie]

Nobody who makes a decent living will be shaking in their boots on this 1.

[Suradit69]

I don't understand the problem with trading 2nd hand products. Classifieds throughout the world are full of ads for 2nd hand goods. Maybe the act is more about the first part, sharing information online.

Not sure, but reading about the act on other sites, it seems the emphasis is on piracy and expropriating creative work of others for commercial gain or without giving credit or without receiving authorization from the original producer/author/photographer, et al.

It also states: "Trade in second-hand products such as books is permissible."

And in the first paragraph it states: " ...study the details of the new Copyright Act carefully before sharing information online or trading second-hand products." It doesn't actually say that trade in second items is prohibited, just that caution should be exercised if the items violate the provisions of the act.

Edited July 30, 2015 by Suradit69

[anon467367354]

Who is enforcing this law? Do people actually get to face their accuser like the creator of the Simpsons? This is just another way of corrupt governments saying you can't repeat the truth using other people's facts

[LomSak27]

Looks like I won't be downloading any more old episodes of "The Simpsons"

as said I would not worry about it

The ministry also hopes international businesses will see this act as an attempt to crack down on piracy, and it will encourage them to invest here

Bingo! that is the reason! Cuffing up Johnny Expat for torrenting a Simpson episode would have the reverse effect. its not going to happen unless you are making 5 million hard copies and selling them in shopping malls, down sois, doghouses outhouses, pot that carts, etc.

[upena]

Hope TAT got the memo. They like to "borrow" photos and text and post to Facebook and Twitter.

[asdecas]

Today, Police Captain Nop, head of the newly set up RTP Cyber Crime Unit, welcomed inductees with the gracious gift of a twenty-two carat, gold plated Apple watch each, the better to tell what time their shift starts. Next week, top candidates will learn the meaning of 'byte', and why it is radically different from 'I'm just slipping out for a bite of somtam to eat'.

[retarius]

I wonder of this will be enforced any better than the slavery laws....I guess it's all about who is making the money.

[Seastallion]

I wonder if it will stop schools photocopying a textbook and selling the bound photocopies to the students. It's a nice little sideline money-earner.

Original 500bht

Copy 80 bht

Sell 200 bht

Profit (120 x 90 copies) - 500 = 10300.

10 text books done like that; 103000. Each semester.

[BigBadGeordie]

I wonder of the law was written using a licenced copy of MS Word, i doubt it very much!

[FredNL]

So does it mean that: ???

- All the banks in Thailand are changing their bootlegged MS Windows XP systems on the ATMs to original MS Windows?

- Thai Government (officials) starting to use original MS Windows versions in stead of the bootlegged Windows what was supplied by Taksin and co? (or don't they have money enough to purchase original software?)

Edited July 30, 2015 by FredNL

[Thaddeus]

Great, another law.

[MaxLee]

"COPYRIGHT

Thais warned to beware of new Copyright Act

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE Ministry has urged people to study the details of the new Copyright Act carefully before sharing information online or trading second-hand products."

Look at yourselves first, dear ministries

[Usernames]

Looks like I won't be downloading any more old episodes of "The Simpsons"

Still plenty of old episodes of many tv shows/movies on youtube...however.

For now..I am going to watch my back on this one.

Bringing happiness to Hollywood moguls.

[elgordo38]

I wonder if it will stop schools photocopying a textbook and selling the bound photocopies to the students. It's a nice little sideline money-earner.

Original 500bht

Copy 80 bht

Sell 200 bht

Profit (120 x 90 copies) - 500 = 10300.

10 text books done like that; 103000. Each semester.

Most times when I go to my favorite copy store he has piles of bound items to be copied. I have even seen pickup trucks loaded with bound material. I guess there will be some kind of exception for this?

[elgordo38]

Great, another law.

The new hub of laws. Aristotle would be proud.

[quandow]

Great, another law.

Incomplete sentence. "Great, another law to ignore."

[Boo]

one post naming a specific school removed. Educated yourself on Thailand's strict laws on slander & defamation. Thai visa will not allow such posts.

[Mudcrab]

No copies or second hand products?

Gee, I bet there are a few nervous ladyboys and bargirls .

Edited July 30, 2015 by Mudcrab

[ozyjon]

Great,, it will just push the price of fakes even higher,

can i re-sell my fake Rolex?