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Alfons Futterer participated as a panelist at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) seminar, co-organised with AmCham HK and the Hong Kong Computer Society, to discuss the emerging challenges and opportunities at the crossroads of copyright law and artificial intelligence.
The session focused on the proposed Text and Data Mining (TDM) exception, a legislative step designed to facilitate responsible access to datasets for AI model training while protecting the rights of copyright holders.
Drawing from decades of compliance and governance experience, Alfons outlined why the TDM exception should be treated as a strategic business risk rather than a purely legal concern. He detailed four priority actions for Hong Kong businesses operating internationally:
- Know the rules — Understand that TDM legality and copyright frameworks differ widely by jurisdiction.
- Document everything — Maintain comprehensive records of lawful data access, opt-outs, and licensing agreements.
- Separate workflows — Isolate local operations from cross-border TDM processes to minimise legal exposure.
- Seek expert guidance — Engage with legal advisors experienced in jurisdiction-specific frameworks such as U.S. fair use.
The discussion featured contributions from Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and Thomas Tsang, Acting Director of Intellectual Property, as well as legal and industry experts. The event reinforced Alfons’s role as a trusted voice in shaping governance frameworks that balance innovation with protection.
