Copyright infringement: Gaming firm charged

Copyright infringement: Gaming firm charged

Wednesday • August 15, 2007

An international firm was yesterday charged in court for copyright infringement.

Boonty Asia, an Internet gaming and distribution company of digital products, was caught by the police earlier this year for using illegal software.

The court heard that the company allegedly infringed the copyright of computer software companies such as Adobe, Autodesk, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec.

In February, police raided its office in Orchard Towers and seized 22 desktops and notebook computers. Besides Singapore, the New York-based company also has offices in Paris, Seoul and Shanghai.

This is the first time a local company belonging to an international group has been charged with copyright infringement here.

Last year, a local interior design firm became the first company to be charged with the same offence. The company was fined $30,000.

The latest case has been adjourned and will be heard again on Sept 11.

If convicted, first time offenders may be fined up to $20,000 or jailed up to six months or both. — Channel NewsAsia