Hong Kong Customs combats piracy activities

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Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 1) conducted an anti-piracy operation in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, and seized about 18 000 suspected pirated optical discs (PODs) and 14 000 suspected obscene optical discs with an estimated market value of about $900,000 from four shops.

During the operation, Customs raided four shops and seized 18 000 suspected PODs, mainly popular movies and drama series, and about 14 000 suspected obscene optical discs. Four men, aged between 31 and 59, 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 piracy activities during the Lunar New Year holidays.

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.