Hong Kong customs has arrested two party room operators on suspicion of providing pirated karaoke songs to customers after raiding eight properties across the city.
The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday that officers launched an operation between December 3 and 10 after analysing intelligence, with the help of copyright owners, and identifying party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs during their business operations.
Officers raided eight party rooms in various districts, including Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay, San Po Kong, Mong Kok and Cheung Sha Wan in Kowloon, as well as Kwai Chung and Yuen Long in the New Territories.
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“Two male persons in charge of the party rooms, aged 27 and 42, were arrested on suspicion of contravening the Copyright Ordinance,” a spokesman for the department said, adding that the pair were on bail.
“The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are not ruled out.”
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Eight sets of karaoke devices used for playing alleged pirated songs, one game console suspected of infringing copyrights and other audio and video equipment were seized, with an estimated market value of about HK$240,000 (US$31,000).