Over 250 copyright experts, and government and educational representatives from the Asia-Pacific Region are participating in a Hong Kong symposium on the Internet and copyright protection.

The two-day event, which started today, has been organised by World Intellectual Property Organisation in co-operation with the Intellectual Property Department.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Director of Intellectual Property Stephen Selby said digital media and the Internet are becoming increasingly important in academic research and publication.

"Traditional copyright concepts pose numerous challenges to people who use the Internet as a tool for their day-to-day work in education. This symposium is intended as a platform for participants to share their views and experience about how to face these challenges in the digital era," he said.

International experts to speak

The symposium will examine the importance of seeking a balance between the protection of copyright and the scope of public access to information in the digital era.

Copyright experts from different jurisdictions will be able to exchange their views and experience on this subject.

Guest speakers include experts from the Mainland and Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, Holland, the US and Japan, and representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the International Publishers Association.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation promotes the use and protection of works of the human spirit. It plays an important role in enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life, as well as creating real wealth for nations.

It is one of the 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations. It administers 23 international treaties on intellectual property protection, and has 179 nations as member states.