Ten held after customs raid firms using pirated software

Customs officers have arrested 10 people and seized HK$360,000 worth of computer gear in a series of raids on small businesses using pirated software.

Those targeted included engineering, design, advertising, printing and catering companies.

Officers acting on a tip-off searched offices and seized 85 computers from seven businesses that were running pirated operating systems and office application software.

Seven of the suspects, aged between 25 and 56, are company directors and the remaining three employees. Two are women. All are on bail pending further investigation.

Customs' intellectual property investigation (operations) group head Michael Kwan Yuk-kwan said no complaints were received against large- sized enterprises. 

"Generally, large-sized enterprises pay more attention to the computer software used in their offices," Kwan said. "Unfortunately, some small- sized enterprises want to reduce their expenses by installing pirated software."

From January to November this year, customs received 92 complaints concerning corporate piracy. This compared with 87 complaints received for the same period last year.

Customs said they will monitor the situation closely and strengthen communications with the industry to collect more intelligence. Kwan appealed to company directors or partners to respect intellectual property rights.

Under the copyright ordinance, anyone in possession of an infringing copyright work in the course of trade or business commits an offense.

The maximum penalty is four years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$50,000 per infringing copy.