Hong Kong customs official seize pirated Japanese animation films
HONG KONG: Hong Kong authorities said Thursday they seized about 200,000 pirated Japanese animation video discs, but a local television station aired footage showing that some of the raided shops had resumed business.
Among the seized VCDs were copies of famed Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's "Howl's Moving Castle,'' which had only recently opened in Hong Kong, "Gundam'' and "Dragon Ball,'' the government said in a statement.
Officials launched the operation after a complaint from an unspecified "major'' Japanese animation production house, the statement said.
Officers also arrested 17 men and a woman, the government said. It wasn't clear if they have been charged.
But broadcaster Cable TV on Thursday played hidden camera footage showing some of the raided stores still in operation.
Customs department spokeswoman Fanny Kong said officials will "follow up'' on the news report.
The VCDs, seized from 22 retail outlets and two warehouses, were worth about 6 million Hong Kong dollars (US$769,200; euro592,300).
Anyone caught with pirated goods for sale in Hong Kong faces up to four years in prison and a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400; euro5,000) per pirated item. - AP
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- No licence to try offenders
- Indonesia seizes ammonium nitrate shipment from Malaysia
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Hackers leak e-mails, stoke climate debate
- Latest news from AP Wire
- Coal mine blast kills 42 in China, 66 trapped
RSS
