Hong Kong Customs combats online sale of memory cards with infringing music files (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs conducted an operation on December 13 to combat the sale of memory cards with infringing music files on the Internet. A total of four memory cards loaded with suspected infringing music files, seven external hard disks, a set of computer and a notebook computer as well as a batch of music discs with an estimated market value of about $40,000 were seized. 

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of memory cards loaded with suspected infringing music files on a local discussion forum, offering around 1 000 music albums for selection. 

     After investigation, Customs officers conducted an operation on December 13 and arrested a 20-year-old man in Shek Kip Mei and seized two memory cards loaded with suspected infringing music files. Later, two more memory cards, the batch of computer equipment and music discs suspected to be used for producing the infringing music files were further seized at two residential units in Shek Kip Mei and Sheung Shui.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing copy of a copyright work 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 the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).