KUALA LUMPUR – The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has raided an electronics retailer in Johor earlier this week for allegedly selling android boxes, seizing a total of RM404,500 worth of the illegal streaming devices.
In a statement, the ministry said it raided the premises of the retailer in Johor Baru and confiscated 600 units of devices of various brands, along with documents containing copyrighted works.
The ministry said a woman in her twenties, who admitted to working for the retailer, was also arrested and investigated under Section 43AA of the Copyright Act of 1987 for offences relating to streaming technology.
The ministry said the suspect can be fined between RM10,000 and RM200,000, slapped with imprisonment not exceeding 20 years, or both, if convicted.
The raid was carried out through a joint effort with anti-piracy coalition Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) and the English football Premier League.
In a separate statement, ACE and the Premier League said the devices sold by the retailer included SVICloud boxes, which came installed with applications providing illegal access to film and television content, including live sports programmes such as Premier League matches.
“The Premier League and ACE are among the first few organisations to bring enforcement action under Malaysia’s new Copyright (Amendment) Act 2022,” the statement read.
“The amended Copyright Act strengthens legislation around copyright infringement and empowers authorities to act against those selling illegal streaming devices and illegal website operators.”
Head of ACE, Jan van Voorn, commended the Malaysian government for the recent amendments to the Copyright Act, which criminalises the sale of illicit streaming devices.
“These new provisions have become a gold standard within the Asia Pacific region. We would like to thank the ministry for taking prompt action to shut down this illicit operation.
“Internet Protocol television piracy services like the one closed down today put consumers at risk of malware, undermine investment, reduce tax contributions to governments, and stifle creativity,” he said.
Voorn, who is also executive vice president and chief of global content protection for the Motion Picture Association, said they will continue to work with Malaysian law enforcement agencies to protect the livelihood of local and international creators and distributors.
Meanwhile, Premier League general counsel Kevin Plumb said the strengthened legislation has put Malaysia at the forefront of copyright protection, making it very clear that anyone involved in providing or facilitating illegal streams is a criminal.
“The Premier League is committed to fighting piracy in Malaysia and will continue to act against those responsible for providing illegal access to our content.
“We want to ensure fans watch Premier League content in the best quality and the safest way. For those who don’t, they must be aware that by using devices such as SVICloud, they face security risks and disrupted viewing experiences.
“I would like to place on record our thanks to the ministry for their cooperation and swift response to support this enforcement action,” he said. – The Vibes, October 19, 2022
