The number of online auctioned items suspected to be counterfeit has dropped 85% since Customs and local Internet auction sites began to co-operate closely to combat such activities, Commissioner of Customs & Excise Richard Yuen says.

Speaking at the "Respect Intellectual Property on the Internet" card holder design competition and "Youth Ambassador of the Year" prize presentation ceremony today, Mr Yuen said the use of BT technology for piracy activities also fell 80% following the crackdown on the "Big Crook" case.

Mr Yuen said the fight against piracy activities will never be successful without the co-operation and support of various sectors in society.

The Customs' Anti-Internet Piracy Teams and Computer Analysis and Response Team have played a vital role in tackling online piracy. With the adoption of advanced investigation technologies including the Lineament Monitoring System, the department monitors illegal piracy activities round-the-clock to track down the identities of those taking part in such activities.

At today's ceremony, a total of 18 prizes were presented to winners of the card holder design competition. Fourteen youth ambassadors were awarded trophies for their outstanding performance in the fight against online piracy.