7 arrested in crackdown on party rooms offering copyright-infringing karaoke sets

Hong Kong customs arrests seven and seizes equipment in a major operation targeting party rooms using pirated karaoke systems. | Contesto: cronaca

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• 7 arrested in crackdown on party rooms offering copyright-infringing karaoke sets

Contesto

Hong Kong customs officials have arrested seven individuals in a month-long, citywide operation targeting party rooms suspected of offering karaoke services using pirated song libraries. The crackdown, codenamed 'Magpie', involved over 100 officers conducting raids at 14 party rooms, one bar, and the residences of two online sellers between March 16 and April 15. Authorities seized 28 suspected illegal karaoke systems, computers, and other equipment with an estimated market value of HK$1.2 million (US$153,000). Divisional Commander Ng Ka-chun of the Intellectual Property Technology Crime Investigation division detailed the operation's findings at a press briefing on Friday. The investigation revealed that the party rooms were using modified commercial karaoke systems loaded with tens of thousands of songs, primarily in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, without the necessary copyright licenses from music collection societies. These establishments were charging customers between HK$100 and HK$300 per hour for the use of these illicit systems. The crackdown highlights a persistent and lucrative grey market in entertainment copyright infringement, adapting to Hong Kong's popular 'party room' culture. These venues, which rent private spaces for social gatherings, have increasingly added karaoke as a key amenity. By using pirated software and song databases, operators avoid substantial licensing fees, gaining an unfair competitive advantage over legitimate karaoke boxes and licensed entertainment venues. Commander Ng stated that the illegal operations caused significant financial losses to copyright owners and the music industry. Customs officials noted that the sophistication of the piracy operation was notable. The suspects are believed to have sourced the illegal karaoke systems, which can hold over 100,000 songs, from online sellers. The software allows for easy song updates via internet downloads, mimicking the services of licensed providers. The seven arrested, aged between 25 and 60, include party room operators and staff. They are being investigated for suspected possession of an infringing copy of a copyright work for use in a business, an offense that...

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Categoria: cronaca