The Customs mounted a large-scale anti-piracy enforcement action in Kowloon West yesterday (November 27) and successfully smashed a criminal syndicate controlling a pirated optical disc (POD) storage and a POD shop. During the operation, a total of seven syndicate members were arrested with the seizure of about 5,000 suspected PODs valued at $100,000.
The Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau conducted an anti-piracy operation yesterday targeting a criminal syndicate selling PODs in Kowloon West. Upon an in-depth investigation, the Customs found that a criminal syndicate controlled a POD storage and a POD shop in the region. In order to avoid the Customs??detection, the syndicate set up its POD storage in a district which was far away from the POD outlet and deployed different syndicate members to act as couriers to deliver the PODs to a place near the outlet by different transportation. Buyers would be directed to collect the PODs at a designated place.
Officers of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau, posing as customers, bought the PODs at the target outlet yesterday and immediately took enforcement actions. During the operation, Customs officers successfully smashed the POD storage and the outlet controlled by the piracy syndicate and seized a bicycle and about 5,000 PODs. The seized PODs were mainly of popular computer softwares, computer games and movies. Moreover, seven syndicate members, six men and a woman, aged between 34 and 54, were arrested. The operation is continuing.
Speaking at a press conference today (November 28), Divisional Commander (Copyright Investigation), Ms Catherine Yip, said the Customs will continue to strengthen enforcement action against piracy activities in Hong Kong, especially during the upcoming Christmas and New Year Holidays.
Ms Yip said that sale of pirated discs is a serious crime and reminded shop owners not to take part in the illegal activities. She also urged members of the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to buy pirated discs.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, a person commits an offence if he possesses an infringing copy for commercial purpose. The maximum penalty is an imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy.
Any person who comes across any suspected piracy activity is encouraged to report to the Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Sunday, November 28, 2010
