Hong Kong Customs Arrests Two for Selling Copyright-Infringing Teaching Materials Online

Hong Kong Customs combats online sale of copyright-infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools

Hong Kong Customs conducted enforcement actions yesterday and today (March 10 and 11) to combat the online sale of copyright-infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools. During the operations, two women were arrested, and a mobile phone and a tablet suspected to be involved in the case were seized.

Customs earlier received complaints from members of the public and a copyright owner alleging that suspected infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools were being offered for sale on an online platform. After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers found that a seller had solicited business via the online platform. Upon receiving an order, the seller requested buyers to transfer money to a designated electronic payment account. Subsequently, electronic files containing the suspected copyright-infringing supplementary exercises were sent to buyers via instant-messaging applications.

With the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided a residential unit in Ho Man Tin. A 29-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case was arrested. A mobile phone and a tablet believed to be connected to the case were seized. Following a subsequent investigation, Customs officers today further arrested a 54-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case. Both women were released on bail pending further investigation.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs appeals to the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell infringing articles.

Under the Copyright Ordinance, without the licence of the copyright owner, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a term of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy.

Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image

Public urged to guard against repeated fake messages on Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for vehicles

A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) today (April 29) again reminded members of the public not to be misled by recent fake messages in social media and messaging groups that claim Hong Kong residents can directly apply for valid permanent Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for their vehicles and use various boundary control points (BCPs). The case will be referred to law enforcement agencies for follow-up.

A spokesman for the TD clarified that applicants for the Regular Quotas must meet the application requirements stipulated by the Mainland authority and submit the specified documents (such as business registration documents of both Guangdong and Hong Kong) to the Mainland authority. Upon receipt of the Mainland Approval Notice from the Mainland authority, applicants may then apply to the TD of the HKSAR Government for Closed Road Permits for the designated land-based boundary control points.

The spokesman added, "Similar false information has from time to time appeared in local and Mainland social media and messaging groups. Such messages repeatedly impersonate government announcements, falsely claiming that quotas are not subject to BCPs or eligibility criteria to solicit clients. Members of the public should heighten vigilance."

The HKSAR Government stressed that the arrangements for the Regular Quotas and the use of BCPs are serious issues which must be jointly deliberated by the governments of the two places holistically. Citizens should refer to official announcements, verify messages carefully and stay alert against deception to avoid disruption to their travel plans.

Source: AI-found images