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A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (February 16) reminded operators of karaokes they would be prosecuted if they used infringing copies of copyright works in the course of business without the licence of the copyright owner.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, anyone who knowingly possesses pirated computer software in the course of business commits a criminal offence.
The spokesman also warned that Hong Kong Customs would continue taking stringent enforcement actions against piracy, including the use of pirated audio-visual copyright works in the course of business in karaokes, as well as the selling of pirated optical disks during Lunar New Year.
He called on people to support copyright works and stay away from piracy, otherwise they would be financing crime.
Before Lunar New Year holidays, Hong Kong Customs officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau conducted territory-wide operations against outlets and karaokes suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance.
Following extensive investigations into complaints received from copyright owners, Customs officers raided six karaokes in North Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon City, Tsuen Wan and Tai Po between January 19 and February 5.
They seized 38 sets of computers installed with karaoke video files and a batch of audio visual equipment, worth in total about $350,000. They also arrested 10 male and four female karaoke operators, aged between 29 and 47.
From February 12 to 16, Customs officers swooped in Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun, seizing about 31,000 pirated disks, of which 22,000 were optical disks and 9,000 disks were music CDs. The seized pirated disks were worth about $720,000. In addition, they arrested nine men and four women, aged between 21 and 58. They were either shop owners or shop assistants.
If people come across any suspected copyright-infringement activities, they are encouraged to call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, an offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $50,000 per infringing copy and four years' imprisonment.
Ends/Friday, February 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:41
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