Hong Kong Customs combats online re-broadcast pay TV World Cup programmes

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 22) conducted an anti-piracy operation and detected a suspected case of illegal re-broadcasting of pay TV World Cup programmes on an Internet broadcasting platform. During the operation, Customs arrested two men aged 21 and 60 respectively. A batch of computer device with an estimated market value of about $20,000 was seized.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a user of an Internet broadcasting platform has illegally re-broadcast pay TV World Cup programmes during the live broadcast of the World Cup matches. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs took enforcement action yesterday and arrested two men in Tung Chung who were suspected to be related to the case.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     During the World Cup matches, Customs will continue to work closely with copyright owners and take stringent enforcement actions against any form of infringing activity.

     Customs appeals to members of the public to respect intellectual property right and watch pay TV programmes through legitimate means. Offenders will be liable to criminal or civil sanctions.

     According to the Copyright Ordinance, a person commits an offence if the person sells or lets for hire a relevant device or provides relevant service for the purpose of a circumvention business. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for four years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).