MACA hosts "Copyright Funfair 2018" to promote copyright knowledge

     (Macao, April 21, 2018)–"MACA Copyright Funfair 2018", organized by Macau Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (MACA), co-organized by Macao Customs Service (SA), Macao Economic Bureau (DSE), Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ), and Macau Deaf Association (MDA), was held on 21 April (Saturday), 4:00 pm at Espaço lateral do Jardim da Cidade das Flores (Rua de Seng Tou). The event is sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM) and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), generously supported by Class Music Co. Ltd, and Pride Entertainment Productions Co. Ltd (in no particular order).  

      The officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Director of Macao Government Tourism Office Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Board of Administration of Cultural Industry Fund Chu Miu Lai, Assistant Director-General of Macao Customs Service Chau Kin Oi, Senior Superintendent of Acting Head Intellectual Property Rights Department of Macao Customs Service Tam In Man, Senior Superintendent of Head of IPR Investigation Division of Macao Customs Service U Iek Chun, Director of Intellectual Property Rights Department of DSE, Cheang Hio Man, Supervisor of DSEJ Centre of Educational Resources Ho Hoi Ieng, DSAJ Legal Promotion and Public Relations Department Senior Officer Lam Keong Chon, Senior Executive of Promotion and Exchange Division, Judicial Affairs Department, Public Prosecutions Office Kass Chao, Deputy Director of General Residents Association of Macau Iu Ka Chung, Director Officer of Macao Deaf Association Cheng Wai Sum, CEO of Class Music Co. Ltd Lo Ka Seng, and others.

       26th April is The World Intellectual Property Day, MACA hopes that through organizing such event, the participants can understand the importance of copyright protection and share more copyright knowledge so as to give the citizens a deeper understanding on how to use music legally, as well as information related to copyright knowledge and music creation.

      MACA CEO Ung Kuoc Iang said in his speech that President Xi Jinping emphasized in the report of the 19th National Congress that innovation is the primary driving force for development, and innovation culture must be advocated to intensify the creation of intellectual property rights, protection and use. President Xi’ in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia also mentioned that the Country must strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and at the same time reorganize the State Intellectual Property Office, improve the law enforcement efforts, raise the costs for illegal activities, and fully exert the legal deterrence into effect. President Xi’s speech inspired everyone with excitement. In the future, we will work harder and make greater contributions to strengthen the creation, protection and use of intellectual property.

      Urban civilization and development are based on the public protection of copyright. Creation must be respected in order to develop a good sense of awareness and let the creators exert to their talent while enjoying the reward from the hard work.

     In 2016, MACA distributed royalties in excess of 5 million patacas according to the music usage reports provided by the music users and the musicians of the countries and regions to which the copyright holders belong. Of this royalties more than 570,000 patacas were distributed to the Macau members.

      Through this event, MACA wishes to share copyright knowledge with the general public from various aspects, popularize civic education, enhance citizens' moral values and ensure that the cultural and creative industries can continue to grow healthily and permanently. MACA hereby urges the Macau music users use more local music, encourage local musicians to create more good music, let local music to expand out of Macau, and allow more rooms of development for local creativity.

    In order to promote awareness of copyright and encourage the cultural and creative industries development, MACA has organized various seminars, workshops, music copyright knowledge sharing sessions, Song Writers Quest and the cooperation with government departments a variety of activities such as the “MACA Music Copyright Campus Tour” to promote the awareness of copyright protection.

     In addition to the display panels provided by SA, DSE, and DSAJ, there were game booths built by MACA, SA, DSE, MDA. For the stage program, there were quiz games hosted by DSAJ and SA regarding the copyright knowledge. The citizens were enthusiastic in the interactive sessions and the atmosphere was hyped-up. A number of Macau singers also participated and performed, including MACA Music Ambassador Sean Pang as well as Iron Ian, Ian Sin and Aiden Chan. Among them, the song “Song Writers’ Song” performed by Sean Pang and a group of local Macau singers was live premiered during the event.

Photo 1 caption: Officiating guests at the opening ceremony

Photo 2 caption: Citizens were enthusiastic in the game booths