Hong Kong Customs combats illegal activities involving infringing karaoke songs
Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between July 28 and yesterday (September 3) to combat illegal activities by operators who provided infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. During the operation, Customs seized a total of 21 sets of karaoke players containing suspected infringing songs, one game console set containing suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment. The total estimated market value of the seizures was around $600,000.
Through intelligence analysis and cyber patrols using a big-data system, and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified several party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Customs officers then took enforcement action by raiding 21 party rooms across various districts, including Central, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Tai Kok Tsui, To Kwa Wan, Fanling, Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun. The batch of suspected infringing items and relevant equipment was seized.
During the operation, three men and two women aged between 28 and 44 were arrested on suspicion of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. They comprised four persons-in-charge and one staff member. All arrestees were released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests cannot be 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 inspections and enforcement to resolutely combat various forms of infringement and 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.
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 combats illegal activities involving infringing karaoke songs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs combats illegal activities involving infringing karaoke songs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Transport visits autonomous driving vehicles in Beijing
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport continued its duty visit in Beijing today (September 4) to gain insights into the local legislation on autonomous driving, as well as the technology developments and market trends of unmanned driving.
In the morning, the delegation visited the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People's Congress for discussion and exchange on the development and legislation of autonomous driving in Beijing. Members hope to draw reference from the relevant statutory and institutional frameworks established by the Beijing Municipal Government, as well as its experience in implementing the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Policy Pilot Zone, with a view to offering advice and recommendations on promoting the driverless and large-scale development of autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong.
The delegation proceeded to Yizhuang Economic and Technological Development Area to visit Didi Chuxing to understand testing of autonomous vehicles in the afternoon. As the world's first high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone, Yizhuang features diverse application scenarios and digital technology support for enterprises to conduct simulation tests. Members rode in autonomous vehicles travelling through different scenarios in the area to experience the vehicles' performance in automatic steering and positioning.
The delegation also visited Beijing Innovation Demonstration Zone for Coordinated Development of Smart City Infrastructure and Intelligent Connected Vehicles in Yizhuang, and exchanged views with representatives of the zone on innovative developments in autonomous driving.
The delegation then went to Baidu Apollo Park to observe its research and development in autonomous driving, big data application and maintenance technology, as well as to understand the development of its autonomous ride-hailing service platform. Members took a ride to experience how autonomous vehicles navigate complex and heavy traffic at busy intersections. Members exchanged views with representatives of the enterprise on the development trends of autonomous vehicles, precision vehicle control and alignment with smart transport infrastructure.
The delegation will continue its duty visit in Beijing tomorrow (September 5) and depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
A total of 13 members and non-members of the Panel on Transport participated in the duty visit. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, also led a government delegation to join the duty visit.
LegCo Panel on Transport visits autonomous driving vehicles in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Transport visits autonomous driving vehicles in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Transport visits autonomous driving vehicles in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Transport visits autonomous driving vehicles in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
