Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Joseph Wong has backed the Youth League for Monitoring Internet Piracy Scheme, which fights illegal file-sharing of copyrighted movies and music.

Visiting the Customs & Excise Department's Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau today, Mr Wong was briefed on the scheme to be rolled out in April. Under it 200,000 youth group members will unite to hinder illicit Internet file-sharing.

Praising the initiative, Mr Wong said Customs fought copyright piracy with vision and foresight.

Community involvement

"Law enforcement is necessary and serves as a good deterrent, but only by involving the community would we be able to generate a more powerful and lasting effect," Mr Wong said.

During his visit he also saw the operation of two Anti-Internet Piracy Teams. Since the department started taking enforcement action against Internet piracy in 2000, the two teams have detected 53 cases, leading to the arrest of 87 people and seizure of $3.7 million in goods.

Mr Wong said with the rapid advance in information technology, Customs was facing ever greater challenges in its fight against Internet piracy. "I am confident the department will meet those challenges with professionalism and determination."