Hong Kong Customs combats piracy activities (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 29) conducted an anti-piracy operation in Yau Ma Tei and seized about 6 000 suspected pirated optical discs (PODs) and 4 000 suspected obscene optical discs with an estimated market value of about $220,000.

     During the operation, officers raided two shops in Yau Ma Tei and seized the batch of suspected PODs and obscene optical discs. Two men, aged 67 and 71, were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs has been carrying out stringent enforcement actions against the sale of infringing goods and will continue to step up patrols and enforcement actions against privacy activities.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who 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.

     Under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance, any person who possesses for the purpose of publication any obscene article commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction, is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for three 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).