Hong Kong Customs conducted enforcement actions yesterday and today (March 10 and 11) to combat the online sale of copyright-infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools. During the operations, two women were arrested, and a mobile phone and a tablet suspected to be involved in the case were seized.
      
     Customs earlier received complaints from members of the public and a copyright owner alleging that suspected infringing teaching materials for primary and secondary schools were being offered for sale on an online platform. After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers found that a seller had solicited business via the online platform. Upon receiving an order, the seller requested buyers to transfer money to a designated electronic payment account. Subsequently, electronic files containing the suspected copyright-infringing supplementary exercises were sent to buyers via instant-messaging applications.

     With the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided a residential unit in Ho Man Tin. A 29-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case was arrested. A mobile phone and a tablet believed to be connected to the case were seized. Following a subsequent investigation, Customs officers today further arrested a 54-year-old woman suspected to be involved in the case. Both women were released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs appeals to the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell infringing articles.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, without the licence of the copyright owner, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a term of imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:30

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