Copyright crackdown: Acting Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise Tam Yiu-keung and Reprographic Rights Licensing Society Chairman Fred Armantrout.

The Customs & Excise Department and the Reprographic Rights Licensing Society have launched a reward scheme to encourage people to report illegal photocopying.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise Tam Yiu-keung and the society's chairman Fred Armantrout signed the agreement today. Mr Tam said action against illegal photocopying has sent the activity underground.

Anyone providing information leading to an arrest, the seizure of copying machines and at least 20 illegal photocopies of books in any one operation will be rewarded up to $20,000. People can file a confidential report by emailing customsenquiry@customs.gov.hk or by calling 2545 6182.

Meanwhile, Customs officers have arrested two men, 37 and 39, and an 18-year-old woman after raiding an underground illegal photocopying workshop and storage centre in Sai Wan Ho. They seized 1,510 photocopies of textbooks and three photocopying machines. A 40-year-old woman was also arrested, and photocopies and machines seized, in Chai Wan.