ECONOMIC CRIME SECTION STAMPS OUT REPEAT COUNTERFEIT DVD OPERATION
 
05 December 2006

Richmond B.C.: On March 13, 2003, Richmond Economic Crime Section executed a search warrant at unit #1183-8700 McKim Way (Admiralty Centre Mall), Richmond B.C., in relation to a criminal counterfeit DVD retail operation. The business was operating under the name "Hong Kong Ying Yum Company." Police seized hundreds of counterfeit DVD's. Charged under the federal Copyright Act was Mr. Chiu LAU, age 46, of Richmond B.C. (#2003-8916)

Mr. LAU subsequently plead guilty at Richmond Provincial Court to six (6) counts under section 42(1)(b) of the Copyright Act and received a $6,000 fine. This section of the Copyright Act makes it an offence for a person to knowingly sell, rent, or by way of trade expose or offer for sale or rent, an infringing copy of a work or other subject-matter in which copyright subsists.

On June 23, 2003, Richmond Economic Crime Section executed another search warrant at unit #1183-8700 McKim Way (Admiralty Centre), Richmond BC in relation to a criminal counterfeit DVD retail operation. The business was operating under the name "Chinese Disc Company." Police seized hundreds of counterfeit DVD's. Charged again under the federal Copyright Act was Mr. LAU. (#2003-22319)

On April 30, 2005, Richmond Economic Crime Section executed a search warrant at unit #1093-8700 McKim Way (Admiralty Centre), Richmond BC in relation to a criminal counterfeit DVD retail operation. This business was operating under the name "Paramount Computer Services Co." Also searched were a vehicle and a storage facility. Police seized hundreds of counterfeit DVD's along with equipment to manufacture counterfeit DVD's and approximately 75,000 blank DVD's. Mr. LAU was once again charged with numerous counts under the federal Copyright Act. (#2005-13975)

Update
On November 11, 2006, Mr. LAU plead guilty at Richmond Provincial Court to eighty-three (83) counts under section 42(1)(b) of the Copyright Act. This was in relation to both the June 23, 2003, and April 30, 2005, investigations. Mr. LAU received a $5,000 fine along with a 12-month Conditional Sentence Order. As a part of his sentencing conditions, LAU must remain in his residence from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

"You simply can’t set up shop in the same mall three times and expect to get away with this, "commented Corporal Steve GOSS, NCO i/c of Richmond Economic and Computer Crime Section, "Criminals should take notice that our Unit, in partnership with the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association, aggressively investigates and pursues charges against anyone that engages in this criminal enterprise."

Richmond RCMP
Cpl P.J. (Peter) Thiessen
Nco i/c Communications
Media Relations
604-207-4779
604-632-2871