Hong Kong Customs today (April 6) conducted a territory-wide anti-piracy operation against shops selling pirated optical discs (PODs) and seized about 145,000 suspected PODs with an estimated market value of about $2.9 million.
During the operation, Customs raided 14 shops including 11 shops on Temple Street. The seized PODs were mainly popular movies and drama series. 16 men, aged between 26 and 79, were then arrested. Investigation is ongoing.
Divisional Commander (Intellectual Property Transnational Investigation), Mr Li Kin-kei, said that Customs will strengthen strategic patrols at hot shopping spots and take enforcement action against infringing goods, including POD activities, during the Easter holiday.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who possesses an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to selling it commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, April 6, 2017
