Time to throw all the counterfeit items…

Police can knock on your door to check for pirated discs
by Kong See Hoh
PENANG (April 14, 2009) : If you think it is harmless to keep a few copies of pirated discs at home, be warned. The police can knock on you door anytime, China Press reported today.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob (pix) told the daily police are discussing with copyrights holders and relevant units on steps to be taken to crack down on music and film piracy.

He said police can launch a crackdown anytime.

Ayub said police have been carrying out raids on sellers of pirated discs but are unable to stem out the scourge.

He pointed out that where there is demand there will be supply regardless of the number of raids.

This is giving police a headache, he said, adding that the only way to solve the problem is to deal with the consumers (to stop them from buying pirated discs).

“Police are sometimes caught in between consumers who lament that the constant anti-piracy raids are making it hard for them to get cheap discs and traders selling genuine products who complain that piracy is affecting their business,” he said.

He said although police have not launched a full-scale operation against piracy, the public should not drive the law enforcers up the wall.

He reminded owners of pirated discs that it is an offence to possess three or more fakes and offenders can be fined or jailed or both.

He said a few members of the public have been booked for possession of fake discs some time ago but did not give the exact figure.

“If the police receive reports against members of the public for possession of pirated discs, we will take immediate action. We will knock on their doors,” he said.

Under the Copyright Act 1987, anyone found guilty of possessing three or more pirated discs can be fined up to RM20,000 and jailed up to five years or both for each disc.

– So, they have nothign else better to do nowdays? First backseat belt, now pirated disc? OMG! What’s next? Nokia replica? Rolex replica? LV replica? or Adidas replica?
or… you name it?