Say 'no' to pirated goods: Acting Commissioner of Customs & Excise Lawrence Wong (right) and other guests officiate at an anti-piracy campaign in Sham Shui Po to promote respect for intellectual property rights.

Hong Kong will attract more investors in the creative industries only through protection of intellectual property rights, Acting Commissioner of Customs & Excise Lawrence Wong says.

To protect intellectual property rights effectively and eradicate piracy, a good partnership amongst the public, the copyright industry, and relevant law enforcement agencies is essential.

Speaking at an anti-piracy campaign in Sham Shui Po today, he said from January to July, some 3.8 million pirated discs worth about $83.4 million were seized, resulting in 695 people arrested.

He said market demand for pirated commodities will revitalise the dying piracy activities and weaken the effectiveness of the enforcement actions or even damage Hong Kong's economy and reputation.

To counter this, the Government has close contacts with management offices of shopping malls, owners' committees and shop proprietors to solicit their participation in and support to further combat piracy.

Mr Wong also called on consumers to avoid pirated products.

Commenting on whether Mainland travellers joining the individual visit scheme will bring along infringing CDs into Hong Kong or commit other crimes, Mr Wong said he believed most of the travellers are law-abiding. Their visits will bring about immediate benefits to Hong Kong's tourism and economy, he added.

Meanwhile, the department will step up intelligence gathering and exchange with relevant law enforcement agencies in cracking down on any illicit activities.

In the first half of this year, the department and the Police conducted four joint operations in Sham Shui Po. About 27,500 infringing CDs, amounting to $590,000, were seized and five people arrested in 16 cases.

The department has also shut down most retail outlets selling pirated CDs, from 1,000 in 1998 to 80. Most of the remaining shops only operate in a very stealthy manner and their scale of business is very limited.

The public can call the department's 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 in case they come across any suspected infringing activities.