Govt Cracks Down On Pirated Goods

[ozzieman05]

Buyers and users of pirated products will be fined 1,000 baht per case, while commercial building owners and landlords, as well as website owners, who turn a blind eye to sales of pirated goods will face a fine of as much as 300,000 baht under a new draft law aimed at clamping down on intellectual-property violations.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the ministry will soon propose the amendments to the Trademark Act and Copyright Act for cabinet consideration and approval.

Under the draft legislation, users and processors of counterfeit goods including computer software, music and movies would be subject to a fine of not more than 1,000 baht, while commercial-building lessors, owners and landlords would face fines ranging from 30,000 baht to 300,000 baht.

The penalty would also cover website owners operating or providing e-commerce services for pirated goods.

The draft amendments are aimed at protecting intellectual property and promoting Thailand's development as a creative economy, said Mr Alongkorn.

The effort also aims to get Thailand off the US's special watch list.

Washington in May made a decision to keep Thailand on its special watch list of nations that have failed to crack down on copyright and patent violations.

[ozzieman05]

So what will happen to Panthriip Plaza, MBK, Pratanum etc etc.

I mean what really attracts people to these places if not pirated goods

and who is responsible as the lessor if I buy a pirate dvd on the street

[mizzi39]

So what will happen to Panthriip Plaza, MBK, Pratanum etc etc.

I mean what really attracts people to these places if not pirated goods

and who is responsible as the lessor if I buy a pirate dvd on the street

This is very true. it is virtually impossible to rid Thailand of pirated goods. Even a 'crack down" is nothing more than putting a band aid on an gaping wound.

[KevinBloodyWilson]

So what will happen to Panthriip Plaza, MBK, Pratanum etc etc.

I mean what really attracts people to these places if not pirated goods

and who is responsible as the lessor if I buy a pirate dvd on the street

This is very true. it is virtually impossible to rid Thailand of pirated goods. Even a 'crack down" is nothing more than putting a band aid on an gaping wound.

More huffing and puffing. I suspect the only thing we can read into this is that the USA government has promised Thailand a suitcase full of pain in the hip pocket nerve if it continues to do sod all.

Thais only do something when their rice bowl is kicked, it is reasonable to suppose that the USA has kicked it by hanging possible further sanctions on to the deal.

This is for appearances only. They can pass all the laws they like, the police will choose not to enforce them, as they do with a huge percentage of laws now. It's one of the things that makes Thailand precariously close to being a failed state, and it's not just me saying that.

[Heng]

More like kicking someone's lapdog's water bowl. No doubt they have long since allocated production towards goods to be seized for show.

[cdnvic]

During the APEC meetings it was difficult to find pirated goods in Bangkok. Chiang Mai for some reason seemed to be flooded with them.

[ozzieman05]

MEMO to Police Officers

On Monday 28th of this month please have all your old stock on show that you can no longer sell

We will be holing our publicity raid just after lunch

You are welcome to the free drinks at XXXXX bar at 4pm to say how good we are

All weill be back to normal Tuesday

[robbiecia]

Unfortunately i can see another money making opportunity for the BIB.

They will just wait around near the DVD vendors or hang outside Pantip/ MBK.

Mr falang will then be relieved of his newly purchased DVDs and a 1000 baht note.

[Travel2003]

I stopped buying copies a long time ago anyway.

Got tired of watching a movie that suddenly stopped, or not being able to upgrade software, or not being able to install a game properly.

The vast majority of foreigners can afford originals, so it should not affect us really.

I remember a successful experiement they had in Hong Kong a few years ago, based upon the old American series 29 Jump Street (I think that was the name of the series), where very young looking police officers infiltrated the system.

They inflitrated the places where movie and music copies were sold in HK.

It spread some fear, as the vendors never really knew who the customer was.

Some might remember this was a reaction after the entire movie and music industry in HK went out on the street demanding the copying to stop.

Dont know if this is still done in HK.

Unfortunately I dont see that work here, as the first thing one need is to get rid of corruption.

[GMoney]

Unfortunately i can see another money making opportunity for the BIB.

They will just wait around near the DVD vendors or hang outside Pantip/ MBK.

Mr falang will then be relieved of his newly purchased DVDs and a 1000 baht note.

Bingo, and do you think they will then in turn fine the owner of MBK or Pantip plaza?

[givenall]

Buyers and users of pirated products will be fined 1,000 baht per case, while commercial building owners and landlords, as well as website owners, who turn a blind eye to sales of pirated goods will face a fine of as much as 300,000 baht under a new draft law aimed at clamping down on intellectual-property violations.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the ministry will soon propose the amendments to the Trademark Act and Copyright Act for cabinet consideration and approval.

Under the draft legislation, users and processors of counterfeit goods including computer software, music and movies would be subject to a fine of not more than 1,000 baht, while commercial-building lessors, owners and landlords would face fines ranging from 30,000 baht to 300,000 baht.

The penalty would also cover website owners operating or providing e-commerce services for pirated goods.

The draft amendments are aimed at protecting intellectual property and promoting Thailand's development as a creative economy, said Mr Alongkorn.

The effort also aims to get Thailand off the US's special watch list.

Washington in May made a decision to keep Thailand on its special watch list of nations that have failed to crack down on copyright and patent violations.

Ok I think if this happens half of Thai people will lose their job, so I think the following:

1. Someone from west is about to visit Thailand possibly during ASEAN

2. The police is looking for tea money so they will target mostly farang to pay the fine

3. May be a big guy like the Pantip owner need a listen from the police