Tighter controls on unauthorised reception of pay TV services have been proposed.

The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2003 will cover civil remedies against unauthorised reception of licensed subscription television programme services without payment.

The bill will be tabled at the Legislative Council on May 14.

It will also introduce criminal sanctions against the possession of unauthorised pay-TV decoders.

Possessors of unauthorised decoders for commercial purposes will be liable to a $1-million fine and five years imprisonment.

Civil remedies can include court action such as seeking damages and injunctions.

Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Marion Lai said the Government has considered the adverse impact of pirated viewing on the pay TV industry, the effectiveness of digitisation as a means to contain the problem, the outcome of a public consultation in 2001, as well as the practical enforcement difficulties and privacy issues when defining the liabilities.

"We consider that a gradual and balanced approach of introducing civil remedy as the first step in tightening the control of unauthorised reception in domestic premises is more appropriate," she said.

She also stressed that the Government does not condone pirated viewing of subscription TV services, and may impose end-user criminal liability as a last resort if pirated domestic viewing is still rampant.