Hong Kong Customs combats online sale of infringing HKDSE Examination teaching notes

Date: 15/05/2020

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 14) conducted an operation to combat the online sale of infringing teaching notes for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination. During the operation, one person was arrested and a batch of items suspected to be involved in the case was seized, including a desktop computer set, a notebook computer, a tablet computer and a mobile phone.

Customs earlier received a complaint from a copyright owner alleging that suspected infringing HKDSE Examination teaching notes were put on sale through online platforms.

After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers found that a seller solicited business via a "cross-platform, multiple accounts" approach. Upon receiving orders, the seller would ask the buyers to transfer money to the designated electronic payment accounts. A hyperlink for downloading the suspected infringing HKDSE Examination teaching notes would then be sent to the buyers via email.

Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and arrested a 20-year-old man in Tung Chung suspected to be involved in the case.

Investigation is ongoing.

Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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