Book piracy

Book piracy

From Warta Kota

I've just read a story about a big-wig book pirate in the January 2005 issue of Warta Ikapi, a publication of the Association of Indonesian Book Publishers. The big-wig, Parlin Marbun, was tried in the East Jakarta district court on Dec. 20, 2004. Unfortunately, I have failed to find anything at all about this report in the mass media. Book piracy is a criminal act that causes big losses to both publishers and authors.

When it comes to CDs, VCDs or DVDs, artists in particular will come forward to strongly condemn piracy, but they are very quiet when it comes to book piracy. (It is also ironic that the suspected book pirate referred to above still walks free although he was been caught in the act along with the printing machine and the pirated books.)

According to the report in Warta Ikapi, strange things occurred in the trial of Marbun. The first day of the trial was adjourned without any certainty when it would be held. When the court hearing finally took place, it lasted for only 10 minutes to hear to prosecutor read the charges. The trial was later adjourned until Dec. 29. Marbun, usually smart in appearance, turned up looking very untidy and wore only slippers.

As a result, the Team for Book Piracy Handling, led by Harry, was disappointed with the trial. They had tracked Marbun for 14 months but the court seemed to prefer to shelve the case.

Ikapi has indicated, therefore, that the court mafia network is still very powerful.

Relevant authorities should immediately deal with this matter.

S. WALUYO Depok, West Java