Popular Nasi Kandar Chain Fined Over RM200k for Showing Astro Programs Illegally at a Few Outlets

A Nasi Kandar chain has to fork out RM221,773.20 to Astro for illegally broadcasting its programs in a few of its outlets.

In an official statement by Astro, Thaqwa (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd agreed to pay RM221,773.20 to Measat Broadcast Systems Sdn Bhd — a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad for violating the terms of the subscription by illegally broadcasting Astro content in several restaurants belonging to Thaqwa.

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Thaqwa only has valid subscriptions for 2 premises. However,  8 of its other outlets also broadcasted Astro content without permission through the use of smart cards and Astro decoder boxes.

Apart from the compensation payment, Thaqwa also agreed to ensure that its Astro subscription is only used in authorized locations to respect Astro’s copyright and intellectual property.

Astro Chief of Sales and Marketing, Tai Kam Leong said the Thaqwa settlement is just one of several cases that Astro is actively pursuing to protect its intellectual property rights. The statement also mentioned other cases that involved unauthorised broadcasts, such as,

• A 22-year-old in Ipoh who got fined RM10,000 for selling Android Boxes with Astro content
• 2 men in Seremban faced similar charges – 1 pleaded not guilty and was released on RM7,000 bail, and another pleaded guilty and paid a RM10,000 fine.

 “Astro is fully committed to fighting digital piracy, knowing how much it harms the media and creative industry,” Kam Leong said.

Kam Leong added that this is Astro’s step to make sure that creators and artists are paid fairly for their work.

In a landmark ruling by the High Court in November 2022, it is illegal for commercial premises to show content to the public from unauthorised sources, including Astro broadcasts without the appropriate commercial license.

If you’re happily broadcasting illegal content, this shall serve as a reminder to you.

Also read: “They don’t make films like this anymore” – M’sian Has Watched Top Gun: Maverick In Theatres 59 Times!