From the Readers

More movie info needed

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-07 08:23

Comment on "Collection of royalties may end free movies" (China Daily, May 5)

While it is important to legitimize a lot of movie-showing businesses in China, it is not very clear how this will help the people making movies. More information is needed to clarify that, such as how this will change people's movie-viewing habits. Obviously, Internet cafes are not the only places where people make money by showing free movies. The real question is who should pay these royalties and for which movies. Will royalties be paid only to national moviemakers, or is the compensation intended for foreign moviemakers as well?

The fees don't seem unreasonable. In fact, they paint a rather fair picture, in my view, of dealing with intellectual property rights in China. But I really wish we knew who this will actually affect. I hope it would help consumers to appreciate the efforts of the people who strive hard to entertain us - and will continue doing so.

Matt Smith, on China Daily website.

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(China Daily 05/07/2010 page9)