Batam police seize pirated VCDs

BATAM, Riau: Police seized more than 7,100 pirated video compact disks (VCDs) from two major shopping centers during a raid on the industrial island of Batam, Riau, on Friday.

Bustami, chief investigator of the local administration's film and copyright team, said most of the VCDs, containing Indonesian and western songs, sold for Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000 per disk.

"The shopowners selling products of piracy violate Government Regulation No. 6/1994 on Film Industry and the Copyright Law," he added.

Under the law, those found guilty of violating intellectual property rights could be fined Rp 50 million or be jailed for five years.

Several similar raids have been conducted but have had little effect on the illegal business. --Antara