KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 – Astro, Malaysia’s leading media company, is determined to crack down on piracy and safeguard its copyrighted content, according to Tai Kam Leong, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Astro has pledged to take stringent measures against individuals or businesses found guilty of streaming or displaying its content without authorization, emphasizing the detrimental impact of piracy on its ability to invest in premium content for Malaysian audiences.
Recent legal actions by Astro have resulted in successful outcomes, including settlements with a food and beverages outlet and a boutique hotel in Cameron Highlands, which agreed to pay damages, issue public apologies, and cease infringing on Astro’s copyrights. These civil suits were based on a landmark ruling by the High Court in November 2022, affirming the illegality of showing content from unauthorized sources in commercial premises without the appropriate licenses.
In a separate incident, an individual was fined RM12,000 by the Ampang Session Court for selling TV boxes loaded with unauthorized Astro content. The conviction serves as a warning against piracy activities, reinforcing Astro’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property and ensuring fair distribution of its content.
