Hong Kong Customs concluded a two-day territory-wide anti-piracy operation yesterday (March 15) and seized more than 14 000 suspected pirated optical discs worth about $500,000 from three shops during the operation.
Customs officers recently suspected that a few shops in Mong Kok and Wan Chai had engaged in the sale of pirated optical discs. After initial investigation, Customs officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau mounted the operation, which resulted in the seizure of the optical discs and the arrest of three men aged between 18 and 58. The arrested men have been put on bail pending further investigation.
The seized optical discs were mainly Japanese cartoon TV series and movies which were offered for sale from $40 to $50 per box set.
Customs will continue to closely monitor and combat piracy activities with strict enforcement actions.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who possesses an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to selling it is liable to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy.
Customs appeals to members of the public to respect intellectual property rights. Anyone who comes across any suspected piracy activities is encouraged to make a report to Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Wednesday, March 16, 2016
