Hong Kong Customs detects suspected infringing case involving unauthorised communication of copyright works to public
Hong Kong Customs mounted an enforcement operation yesterday (July 3) to combat activities involving the suspected unauthorised communication of copyright works to the public. A total of two suspected illicit streaming devices with an estimated market value of about $1,300 were seized during the operation.
Customs earlier received information from a copyright owner alleging that an online shop was offering illicit streaming devices to customers, including television set-top boxes and designated applications for viewing infringing copyright contents, which were suspected of communicating copyright works to the public without authorisation.
After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers arrested a 39-year-old local man in Kwun Tong district and seized the batch of suspected illicit streaming devices.
An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds members of the public not to participate in activities involving the unauthorised communication of copyright works to the public. Members of the public should also respect intellectual property rights and refrain from purchasing illicit streaming devices. They are advised to be vigilant against cybersecurity risks arising from the use of such devices and designated applications.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who, without the authorisation of the copyright owner, communicates a copyright work to the public for the purpose of or in the course of any trade or business that consists of communicating works to the public for profit or reward; or communicates the work to the public to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the copyright owner, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 in respect of each copyright work.
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 an enforcement operation yesterday (July 3) to combat activities involving the suspected unauthorised communication of copyright works to the public. A total of two suspected illicit streaming devices with an estimated market value of about $1,300 were seized during the operation. Photo shows the suspected illicit streaming devices seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Sports Dispute Resolution Workshop concludes today
The Efficient Resolution for All: Sports Dispute Resolution Workshop, co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), along with the administering body and the technology provider of the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution, respectively AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) and eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, as well as the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), concluded today (July 4).
The Workshop attracted over 120 representatives from the local sports and legal sectors, including representatives from 30 sports organisations.
The Deputy Secretary for Justice and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; and Vice President of the SF&OC Mr Kenneth Fok attended and gave welcome remarks at the event.
Addressing the event, Dr Cheung said that with the rapid development of sports and related industries, differences in opinions or disputes are inevitable. However, to settle them by traditional ways, such as internal rulings or adjudication within national sports associations, or litigation in courts, often leads to more complex problems and imposes a burden onto the parties in terms of time, mental energy, and finance. Therefore, establishing an efficient, professional, and credible sports dispute resolution system that handles sports disputes through a "mediation first, arbitration next" approach can resolve disputes for the parties involved more flexibly and effectively. Besides, resolving disputes through arbitration can help parties avoid the lengthy legal procedures and substantial legal fees resulting from litigation.
Dr Cheung also stated that since the launch of the Pilot Scheme's online platform in February this year, it has received a number of inquiries and has begun processing cases, with the first case recently successfully resolved. The successful implementation of the Pilot Scheme confirms that Hong Kong is on the right track in promoting a sports dispute resolution system. He encouraged everyone to make full use of the Pilot Scheme to maximise its benefits and jointly promote the long-term development of sports in Hong Kong.
Organised with the support from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the Workshop introduced, through a rich variety of activities, how sports disputes could be efficiently resolved by way of mediation and arbitration under the framework of the Pilot Scheme.
At the Workshop, a Hong Kong arbitrator and mediator, who also serves as a mediator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport, teamed up with a retired Hong Kong athlete and a coach for role-playing in a lively case drama to simulate the sports mediation procedures, which are typically held in confidence under regulations. They also explained arbitration procedures, allowing the participants to gain a direct understanding of how the Pilot Scheme operates.
Subsequently, the Director of the AALCO-HKRAC, Professor Nick Chan, and the Vice Chairman of eBRAM and Panel Arbitrator of the China Commission of Arbitration for Sport, Mr Ronald Sum, outlined the fundamental principles of mediation and arbitration at the Workshop. They also introduced the workflow under the Pilot Scheme, the operational procedures of its online dispute resolution platform, and the case studies on sports disputes successfully resolved under the Pilot Scheme.
In the sharing session that followed, a representative from a national sports association and an athlete, speaking from the professional and practical perspective of users, discussed the possible challenges in resolving sports disputes, and elaborated in details the specific benefits of adopting the Pilot Scheme's model clauses.
Set to operate for two years, the Pilot Scheme has started to accept applications since February 13 this year. It adopts a "mediation first, arbitration next" approach to resolve both commercial and non-commercial sports disputes. Its online mediation and arbitration platform also provides for expedited procedures to enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution for handling urgent disputes that may arise during sporting events.
The Efficient Resolution for All: Sports Dispute Resolution Workshop co-organised by the Department of Justice, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, concluded today (July 4). Photo shows the Deputy Secretary for Justice and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, delivering his welcome remarks at the Workshop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Efficient Resolution for All: Sports Dispute Resolution Workshop co-organised by the Department of Justice, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, concluded today (July 4). Photo shows the Deputy Secretary for Justice and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, delivering his welcome remarks at the Workshop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
