Prison sentence for animal abusers increased to five years from three

Jul 4 2022

The government is set to increase the maximum prison sentence for animal abuse to five years up from three, whilst also introducing a registry of convicted abusers which will stop them from keeping animals.

The amendments to animal welfare laws were approved by Cabinet this week, following a closure of public consultation period on the proposals.

The veterinary services directorate will be granted the power for spot inspections on premises and farms which keep animals under the new rules. This will give the directorate greater discretion in its investigations.

Despite White Paper proposals, zoo regulations have so far remained the same. Under the proposed animal welfare rules, local councils will deploy their own animal welfare stewards for educative purposes in regards to animal owners.

Any potential owners will be given the necessary information of the costs associated with certain breeds so as to avoid any unsustainable financial burdens which could impact the animal’s health.

#MaltaDaily

WATCH: Spectacular confetti display at St. Paul’s feast in Rabat

Jul 4 2022

With festa season in full force at the moment, it’s an absolute pleasure to see locals reignite their passion for organising these celebrations. Just recently, St. Paul’s feast in Rabat hosted a gorgeous display of multi-coloured confetti and we can’t stop watching.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Malta Daily (@maltadaily.mt)

The explosive confetti routine, normally synced to upbeat dance music, attracted lovers of typical Maltese festa from all walks of life to Rabat to enjoy the vibrant display of traditional beauty.

Taking place at the Rabat square at noon, multi-coloured papers were shot into the sky, creating a gorgeous scenario for everyone to enjoy.

SEND THIS TO SOMEONE WHO LOVES FESTA!

#MaltaDaily

Entrances to abandoned St Philip’s Hospital boarded up

Jul 4 2022

The Data Protection Commission have ordered the owner of the abandoned St Phillip’s Hospital to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of the documents, leading to a restriction of access to the run-down premises.

Times of Malta was informed by Information and Data Protection Commissioner Ian Deguara that the owner of the property has complied with the order issued. An investigation into the case has been closed, revealed Deguara.

Hospital owner Frank Portelli had to either secure the premises or else destroy the documents. Deguara did not elaborate but Times of Malta revealed the options to the public, despite the owner not issuing any comment.

The premises have been locked up, with the front doors which were once attached to the private hospital’s entrance confirmed to have been removed. They have since been replaced by a large slab of iron.

Smashed windows on the ground floor have also been blocked with stones from the inside. Windows on higher floors are still open but access to the premises is now very difficult.

The status of the documents is currently unknown. The provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) give authority to the commissioner to issue orders, warnings, bans or fines to entities that process people’s personal data to ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of the documents are preserved.

#MaltaDaily

Mickey Mouse could soon leave Disney… and you might be able to use him

Jul 4 2022

The ever iconic Mickey Mouse could be set to part ways with Disney as the company’s 95 year copyright is set to expire in two years.

The cartoon mouse, which was created in 1928, went on to become one of the entertainment giant’s most recognisable faces and symbols. However, US copyright law stipulates that intellectual copyright on artistic work expires after 95 years.

This means that Mickey will be entering the public domain in 2024, and Disney may lose its exclusive rights over the character. But this doesn’t mean that he is set to become a free for all to use that easy.

“You can use the Mickey Mouse character as it was originally created to create your own Mickey Mouse stories or stories with this character,” Daniel Mayeda, associate director of the Documentary Film Legal Clinic at UCLA School of Law, told the Guardian.

However, if it is done in a way that will get people thinking of Disney (which is very likely due to the longstanding connection), then Disney may be able to press charges for copyright violation.

Copyrights are time-limited but trademarks are not, explained Mayeda. What’s more, Mickey changed as a character through the years so technically, it is only the original version which will reach expiration. Other variations will have the 95 year copyright from the date of inception.

#MaltaDaily