The Legal Department provides a wide range of services anchored on its mission to protect, promote and advance the rights and interests of ABU and its Members in an effective and cost-efficient manner. Its main responsibilities are:
Promote and protect the broadcasters' intellectual property rights
The rapid development in technology has created a regulatory imbalance in the broadcasting industry which exposes the intellectual property of the broadcasters to higher risk of piracy. The Legal Counsel and the ABU Copyright Committee are working closely to ensure that the rights of ABU Members are amply protected and enhanced through the adoption of a new international treaty. Similar initiatives are being done at the local or national level during the revision and amendment of national copyright laws of some Members. The Legal Counsel also actively promotes and advocates the protection of broadcast signal against theft or piracy through seminars, workshop, multi-lateral forums and exchanges of vital information with regional broadcasting unions and industry associations.
Enhance common understanding of legal issues
The Legal Counsel helps organised, conducts and participates in seminars, workshops and multi-lateral forums to create a better understanding among ABU Members of legal issues relevant to broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region. The Legal Counsel also contributes relevant news and featured articles on legal matters in the ABU publications, works with the Secretary-General and the ABU Programme Department in the publication of a new Copyright Handbook and collaborates with the ABU Technical Department in using the ABU Media Learning Center-Online in distributing relevant audio-video materials online all geared towards creating awareness on important and relevant legal issues.
Protect ABU rights and interests in contract negotiation and documentation
The wide ranging programmes and services being provided by the ABU to its Members require the ABU as a legal entity to enter into various contracts and agreements with other parties and also with individual ABU Members. The Legal Counsel ensures that the rights and interests of the ABU and its Members are well-protected and advanced in all ABU agreements and contracts, including the sports rights licensing agreements with the International Olympic Committee and other sports rights holders.
Assist in revision of ABU Statutes, rules and regulations
The ABU Statutes, rules and regulations are constantly being revised and amended to incorporate changes necessary to achieve the objectives of the ABU and to promote and advance the rights and interests of its Members. The Legal Counsel participates and assists in this process to ensure that the intentions and desires which the proposed changes seek to achieve are accurately reflected in the amendatory provisions. This is also necessary to properly harmonise the new revisions with the existing provisions in the ABU Statutes, rules and regulations.
Provide legal advice and counsel
The Legal Counsel provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to the General Assembly, Administrative Council, Planning and Strategy Group, ABU officers, Secretary-General, heads of the ABU departments and key ABU committees and working groups, particularly the Sports Group Finance Committee and the ABU Copyright Committee. He also conducts legal researches and prepares position papers and statements to express and explain the position of the ABU on particular legal issues.
Represent the ABU in regional and industry bodies, forums and discussions
The Legal Counsel represents the ABU before the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Broadcasting Unions-Broadcasters' Treaty Working Group, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Intellectual Property Alliance and other multi-lateral and bilateral forums, government consultative bodies, and business organisations in pursuance of the objective of the ABU to promote regional and international mutual understanding and cooperation through the medium of broadcasting.
Extend planning and logistical support in organising the annual ABU Copyright Committee Meeting and Seminar
The ABU Copyright Committee meeting and seminar serves as a forum for ABU Members to learn and discuss relevant intellectual property rights issues, regulatory trends and other related issues that affect the broadcasting industry. The committee has achieved significant milestones since its formation in 1994 as a working group in its advocacy to promote and protect the rights of the ABU Members to their intellectual property. The Legal Counsel helps in planning and organising this annual event by coordinating with local host (ABU Member), inviting participants and speakers, suggesting relevant seminar topics and ensuring an organised execution of the programmes.
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