Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs today (April 10) conducted an operation to combat the online sale of infringing teacher’s e-textbooks and examination papers. During the operation, two persons were arrested and a batch of items suspected to be involved in the case were seized, including three USB flash drives, a batch of discs, two mobile phones and a notebook computer.

     Customs earlier received complaints from a copyright owner alleging that suspected infringing teacher’s e-textbooks and examination papers were put on sale through online platforms.

     Through the big data analytics system, Customs officers found that sellers solicited business via a “cross-platform, multiple accounts” approach. Buyers would receive a hyperlink via email to download the suspected infringing teacher’s e-textbooks and examination papers after they had transferred money to the designated bank account.

     After investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action today and arrested a 64-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman in Kwun Tong for selling suspected infringing teacher’s e-textbooks and examination papers, as well as laundering the relevant crime proceeds.

     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.

     Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, a person commits an offence if he deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 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). read more

     Two men and a woman were fined from $5,000 to $9,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (April 10) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in September last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections at two clubs on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, which had been operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs). 

     During the investigation in one of the clubs on Nathan Road, the OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Also, the club’s staff failed to show a copy of the certificate of fire service installation and equipment and the registered drawing upon the OLA officers’ request. Moreover, the CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position at the club. Conditions 2, 10, 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached. The two men, being the manager and the CoC holder of the club, were charged with contravening section 21(1) (a) or section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     The other club on Nathan Road also served non-members. Also, the club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawing. Conditions 3 and 19 of the CoC were breached. The woman, being the CoC holder of the club, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations. read more

     A woman was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (April 10) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in September last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Nathan Road in Kowloon. The OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.

     According to the OLA’s records, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The woman responsible for operating the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application “Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses”. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 10) announced the launch of Tao Arts – Community Arts Scheme, which will be implemented in Sai Kung and Wan Chai Districts this year as a pilot scheme and will be exte… read more

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (April 10) visited Tuen Mun District, where he exchanged views with Tuen Mun District Council (TMDC) members and young people, and learnt about the escort service for th… read more