Another company charged with piracy

Bandula Saman Kumara, owner of Tec Touch International, in Yogiyana, Dankotuwa and his associates, Shantha Senarath and Gamini Padmasiri were charged in Court under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 for music and software copyright infringement.

Pursuant to a complaint filed by local music producers, search warrants were issued by the Marawila Magistrate Ms. Nirosha Fernando, resulting in raids which were conducted by Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuwan Vedasinghe, Chief Inspector Nimalsiri and Inspector C. A. P. Weerarathne of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) under the supervision of the Director of CCD - Senior Superintendent of Police Anura Senanayake.

During the raid, thousands of counterfeit copies of local music, movies, teledramas and business software belonging to members of the Business Software Alliance were seized by the police.

“I hope this action sends out a clear message to those dealing and selling counterfeits about the lengths we will go to prevent such activity.

We will continue to work with the community to take strong action against anyone caught in possession of or supplying, counterfeit music and software in the area.

The Colombo Crime Division is committed to tackling piracy and I would urge anyone with any information about such activity to contact the CCD at any time,” said SSP Anura Senanayake, Director CCD.

On July 8, following an extended investigation and prosecution by the police assisted by music producers M-Entertainment and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) - through their lawyers Sudath Perera Associates, the Court granted the accused bail of Rs. 25,000 for each case filed against them by copyright owners, nine cases against the owner of Tec Touch himself, whilst four cases were filed against those transporting the goods.

In addition, two surety bonds of Rs. 100,000 for each case had to be signed by the accused with one of the sureties being a government employee in the executive grade.