Hong Kong Customs cracked 5 corporate piracy cases in internet cafés yesterday (August 21) in an operation codenamed "Counterpoint".
Speaking today (August 22) at a press conference on the operation details, Divisional Commander (Copyright Investigation), Mr Michael Kwan, said the operation was in response to reports about some internet cafés allegedly using computers installed with pirated software.
Customs officers mounted the operation yesterday and raided 5 cyber cafés in Yau Ma Tei and Jordon.
A total of 37 computers installed with infringing software including operation system and office application software, worth about $40,000, were seized.
6 men and 1 woman, aged between 29 and 45, including 1 company director, 3 proprietors and 3 staff, were arrested. One arrestee was charged and the remainders have been released on bail pending further investigations.
Mr Kwan said, "There has been an increase in the number of cyber cafés recently because of the low costs required for operating them and the popularity of online games. It is believed that some people have used pirated software to minimise operating costs even at the risk of committing the offence."
Mr Kwan reminded company directors and their partners that under the Copyright Ordinance, if a business organisation was found in possession of infringing copies of computer programmes, movies, TV dramas, musical recordings (including visual and sound recordings) for use in the business, its directors or partners may be subject to criminal liability.
Anyone who knowingly used pirated software in business committed a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.
Ends/Saturday, August 22, 2009