Sim Lim Square Seller Sentenced to 10 Months in Singapore's First-Ever Jail Term for Illegal Streaming Device Sales
In a landmark case for Singapore's fight against digital piracy, Ge Xin, a Sim Lim Square Mall retailer, received a 10-month jail sentence for selling illegal streaming devices that provided access to copyrighted content without permission. This case marks the first prosecution of its kind under Singapore's Copyright Act.
Ge Xin, 37, confessed to violating the copyright of several prominent businesses, including Disney, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, and the English Premier League (EPL). According to the Straits Times, the devices he sold provided access to a range of copyrighted content, including popular films like Top Gun: Maverick, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and live-streamed EPL matches.
Ge's shops, MT Gadget+ and Grandnew, based in Singapore's Sim Lim Square, were also penalised, with fines of $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. This prosecution represents a significant application of Section 150 of the Copyright Act, targeting commercial dealers of illegal streaming devices.
The authorities' crackdown on Ge's business followed a coordinated raid in October 2022 led by Singapore's Criminal Investigation Department. This success highlights the country's commitment to copyright enforcement and serves as a warning to other sellers of illegal streaming devices in Singapore.
The Premier League, a frequent target of illegal streaming and piracy activities, praised the efforts in a statement, underscoring the importance of strict copyright enforcement to protect the rights of content creators and legitimate distributors.
Premier League general counsel Kevin Plumb provided a comment to the Straits Times that highlighted the significance of this case. He said:
“We welcome this landmark prosecution, which is the result of detailed investigations carried out in collaboration with the Singapore Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Intellectual Property Rights Branch of the Singapore Police Force.”
This sentencing sets a precedent, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to illegally distributing copyrighted works. It also significantly bolsters Singapore's position in the global fight against digital piracy, sending a clear message to those who engage in such activities.
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