KUALA LUMPUR: An entertainment joint in Cheras, which operated a paid digital karaoke business, could face millions in fines for song copyright infringement after it was raided Wednesday night.
ILLEGAL: Ramesh Haridas from Public Performance Sdn Bhd checks the digital computer system of an entertainment outlet during a raid. — Bernama photo
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) enforcement chief Othman Nawang said the outlet in Taman Permaisuri was raided at 9pm yesterday and equipment such as mixer, microphone and television monitors worth RM100,000 were seized.
He said the outlet was believed to offer song request services using pirated software.
“Based on a complaint from Public Performance Sdn Bhd (PPM), 12 special officers from the ministry and officers from the Recording Industry of Malaysia (RIM) carried out the raid and seized audio visual equipment, including digital karaoke system with 28,353 songs,” he told reporters yesterday.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Copyright Act 1987 which carries a minimum fine of RM2,000 for each pirated song and maximum five years jail, said Othman.
The owner, a 45-year-old male, and his two local workers were detained for questioning.
Othman said the songs included current top local and international hits in all languages produced by Universal Music, SRC, Rock Records, Sony Music and others.
The ministry was taking the case seriously and would conduct the probe with the cooperation of PPM and RIM to stem digital piracy, he said.
PPM and RIM chief executive officer Tan Ngiap Foo said any business which used digital karaoke system containing songs of recording companies must get copyright authorisation from PPM or RIM.
He said the digital karaoke system enabled up to four customers to sing inside an enclosed ‘Jukebox Karaoke’. — Bernama