Hong Kong Customs cracked down on a syndicate supplying suspected infringing textbooks to primary schools and parents in a recent operation. A total of over 7 400 suspected infringing textbooks of primary school were seized and three men and a woman were arrested. Investigation is still ongoing.
The Customs earlier received information about parents' complaints on the inferior quality of textbooks ordered through their children's schools, suspecting that the textbooks were infringing items. The Customs took immediate action and seized more than 200 suspected infringing textbooks pending collection by parents at two primary schools. Upon investigation, it was found that the textbooks were supplied by a syndicate.
The Customs mounted an operation on July 24 after relevant copyright owners had confirmed that the seized textbooks were infringing. Two bookstores in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun as well as a warehouse in Tuen Mun managed by the syndicate were raided. A total of more than 7 100 suspected infringing textbooks in over 90 titles with a total value of more than $530,000 were seized. Three men and a woman aged between 52 and 62 were arrested with two of them being directors of the syndicate and the other two being staff of the syndicate.
While searching for infringing textbooks, the Customs found in the bookstores and warehouse some legitimate copies of textbooks. It is believed that the offenders deliberately sourced a certain amount of legitimate copies of textbooks from the copyright owners in order to evade detection. The legitimate copies of textbooks and the suspected infringing textbooks were mixed together and supplied to the schools and parents for making a higher profit.
The Customs appeals to schools and parents to choose reliable suppliers when purchasing the textbooks for students.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, it is an offence to import, export, sell or manufacture infringing items. Offenders are liable to a maximum punishment of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 for each infringing copy. The Customs will step up enforcement against any activities relating to infringing textbooks before the new school year commences.
Anyone with information on suspected infringing activities can report to the Customs by calling the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Sunday, July 27, 2014
