PENANG, Dec 9 -- A bistro owner in Seberang Jaya faces a fine up to RM20 million under the Copyright Act 1987 for loading 10,000 foreign and local songs in his karaoke set.
The 49-year-old suspect, who opened his bistro two months ago, was nabbed by the Penang branch of the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry yesterday.
Its enforcement chief, M Gunaselan said a karaoke set worth RM50,000 was seized from the bistro at Jalan Todak, Seberang Jaya at 6.30pm.
He said the raid was conducted following complaints from Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) and Public Performance Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PPM).
The bistro owner was released on a police bail, he told reporters here on Wednesday.
If convicted, the suspect can be fined up to RM2,000 for each song loaded in the karaoke set or jailed up to five years or both.
RIM chief executive officer Tan Ngiap Foo claimed 3,000 of 5,000 night clubs and restaurants contravened the Copyright Act by loading songs in karaoke sets without permit, causing the music industry to lose RM60 million yearly.
The 49-year-old suspect, who opened his bistro two months ago, was nabbed by the Penang branch of the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry yesterday.
Its enforcement chief, M Gunaselan said a karaoke set worth RM50,000 was seized from the bistro at Jalan Todak, Seberang Jaya at 6.30pm.
He said the raid was conducted following complaints from Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) and Public Performance Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PPM).
The bistro owner was released on a police bail, he told reporters here on Wednesday.
If convicted, the suspect can be fined up to RM2,000 for each song loaded in the karaoke set or jailed up to five years or both.
RIM chief executive officer Tan Ngiap Foo claimed 3,000 of 5,000 night clubs and restaurants contravened the Copyright Act by loading songs in karaoke sets without permit, causing the music industry to lose RM60 million yearly.
-- BERNAMA
