Woman jailed for pirating CDs

JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Court sentenced yesterday a shop owner to five months in jail for selling pirated cassettes and compact discs.

The presiding judge, M. Suleman, said the defendant Melia Fransiska violated Law No. 7/1987 on Copy Rights and Article 64 of the Criminal Code.

Suleman said the court would confiscate and destroy about 900 pirated cassettes and CDs.

Defense lawyer Bambang Hartono and prosecutor Andi Arifin -- who demanded the court sentence the defendant to one year in jail -- were considering whether to lodge appeals.

Melia, who has three shops in Grogol, West Jakarta, was tried for illegally selling the pirated cassettes and CDs containing Indonesian, Western and Chinese songs. The illegal cassettes and CDs were sold at a much cheaper price than the originals.

The defendant admitted to buying the pirated goods from two salesmen, identified as Andi and Rachmat.

The court allowed the defense lawyer and the prosecutor seven days to consider whether to make an appeal. (jun)