Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between July 28 and yesterday (September 3) to combat illegal activities by operators who provided infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. During the operation, Customs seized a total of 21 sets of karaoke players containing suspected infringing songs, one game console set containing suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment. The total estimated market value of the seizures was around $600,000.

     Through intelligence analysis and cyber patrols using a big-data system, and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified several party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Customs officers then took enforcement action by raiding 21 party rooms across various districts, including Central, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Tai Kok Tsui, To Kwa Wan, Fanling, Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun. The batch of suspected infringing items and relevant equipment was seized.

     During the operation, three men and two women aged between 28 and 44 were arrested on suspicion of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. They comprised four persons-in-charge and one staff member. All arrestees were released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests cannot be ruled out.
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     Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Ordinance and to make enquiries from copyright owners regarding matters relating to the use of musical visual recordings in the course of business.

     Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to resolutely combat various forms of infringement and safeguard the rights of copyright owners.

     Under the Ordinance, any person who, without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with a view to it being used by any person, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

     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/Friday, September 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:20

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