Hong Kong Customs combats illegal activities involving infringing karaoke songs
Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between March 16 and April 15 to combat illegal activities involving operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business and the sale of infringing karaoke players. During the operation, Customs seized a total of 28 sets of karaoke players with suspected infringing songs, four sets of gaming consoles with suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment. The total estimated market value of the seizures was around $500,000.
Through intelligence analysis and cyber patrols using a big-data system, and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified a number of party rooms and a bar suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Two online sellers who offered karaoke players with suspected infringing songs for sale were also identified. Customs officers then took enforcement action and raided 14 party rooms and a bar in various districts, including Central, Cheung Sha Wan, Hung Hom, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, Lai Chi Kok, Mong Kok, Sha Tin, Tai KoK Tsui and Tsuen Wan. Customs also searched two residential units of the two online sellers in Choi Hung and Yau Tong respectively. The batch of suspected infringing items and relevant equipment was seized.
During the operation, five men and two women aged between 26 and 69 were arrested on suspicion of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. They comprised one person-in-charge, four staff members, and two online sellers. All arrestees were released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Ordinance and to make enquiries from copyright owners regarding matters relating to the use of musical visual recordings in the course of business.
Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to resolutely combat different kinds of infringing activities to safeguard the rights of copyright owners.
Under the Ordinance, any person, who without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with a view to it being used by any person, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years. Additionally, any person who sells or 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 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 mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between March 16 and April 15 to combat illegal activities involving operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business and the sale of infringing karaoke players. Photo shows a party room in Lai Chi Kok raided by Customs officers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between March 16 and April 15 to combat illegal activities involving operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business and the sale of infringing karaoke players. Photo shows some of the audio and video equipment and suspected infringing items seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
