Hong Kong Ordinances

COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE - SECT 4

Literary, dramatic and musical works

Descriptions of work and related provisions

(1) In this Part-

"dramatic work" (戲劇作品) includes a work of dance or mime;

"literary work" (文學作品) means any work, other than a dramatic or
musical  work, which is written, spoken or sung, and accordingly includes-

   (a)  a compilation of data or other material, in any form, which by reason
        of the selection or arrangement of its contents constitutes an
        intellectual creation, including but not limiting to a table;

   (b)  a computer program; and

   (c)  preparatory design material for a computer program;

"musical work" (音樂作品) means a work consisting of music, exclusive of
any words or action intended to be sung, spoken or performed with the music.

(2) Copyright does not subsist in a literary, dramatic or musical  work unless
and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise; and references in this Part
to the time at which such a work is made are to the time at which it is so
recorded.

(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (2) whether the work is
recorded by or with the permission of the author; and where it is not recorded
by the author, nothing in that subsection affects the question whether
copyright subsists in the record as distinct from the work recorded. [
cf. 1988 c. 48 s. 3 U.K.]

"dramatic work" (戲劇作品)

"literary work" (文學作品)

"musical work" (音樂作品)