Police cracked pirated apps case involving TWD1.8 billion market value

　The Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Second Special Police Corps, the National Police Agency recently tracked down in Yiland and Taichung of Taiwan four suspects who had been illegally selling live stream apps and stealing the video signals illegally broadcast by another and further retransmitting such signals to viewers through apps, which forms piracy of pirated materials.  This is also the first time that the police cracked infringement committed in a pattern of pirated live stream apps, which involved the market value in excess of TWD1.8 billion.  

　According to the police, the four suspects did not sell set top boxes but mainly engaged in developing and selling illicit apps.  The price of an illicit app, which is less than 20% of that of a set top box, and the easiness of its installation make apps more appeal to consumers.  The four suspects sold apps software online to gain profits with the source of videos intercepted and stolen from the decoded signals of illegal set top boxes.  

　The four suspects are found to have infringed upon the intellectual property rights held by 15 local media companies, including Eastern Broadcasting Co., Ltd., and 5 major TV stations of Japan, such as, TBS.  These infringed companies authorized the Satellite Television Broadcasting Association R.O.C. and Content Overseas Distribution Association to press charges against the four suspects and the case has been forwarded to Yilan District Prosecutors Office for investigation.  

　The police seized a total of 62 items of evidence, including, server, network attached storage, software router, and televisions, all of which involved the market value of TWD1.8 billion approximately.  The four suspects have been referred to the relevant prosecutors office on charge of Copyright Act violation.  (Released 2023.05.05)  
/CCS