KPDNHEP: Stop Selling Illegal Streaming Devices Or Face Up To 20 Years Jail & RM200k Fine

The Enforcement Director for the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Azman Adam has issued a warning against all traders who are selling streaming technology devices which contain copyrighted works without physical or digital permission. In a statement on Friday (21 October 2022), Azman stressed that the ministry will take strict and continuous enforcement to combat the activity. 

Furthermore, the KPDNHEP Enforcement Director asserted that under Section 43AA of the Copyright Act 1987, any individual/dealer found to be selling illegal streaming devices containing copyrighted works can be fined up to RM200,000 or jailed for up to 20 years or both. Azman elaborated,

“KPDNHEP views the matter seriously, and will not compromise with any individual/dealer involved in offering the sale of streaming technology devices which contain copyright works without physical or digital permission,” 

According to Bernama, KPDNHEP would also take action under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 on those caught selling illegal streaming devices. The aforementioned laws allow all accounts belonging to offenders or suspects to be frozen and forfeited if found guilty.

Besides that, KPDNHEP has also been successful in foiling the physical distribution of pirated content. Azman revealed that from 2018 to September 2022, the ministry foiled 531 such cases, with an estimated value of RM5.4 million. 

Within the same period, KPDNHEP has also blocked 2,252 websites which contain pirated copyright works and a total of 2,391 content items have been taken down for action (content removal). Azman added that another initiative taken by the ministry to combat digital copyright violations was to block illegal websites through the Cyber Copyright Enforcement (CYCORE), and until last month a total of 319 websites were successfully blocked, involving the removal of 1,902 content items.

So, what do you guys think of the statement by the KPDNHP Enforcement Director? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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