What is Piracy?

Piracy is theft; it is the unauthorized taking, copying or use of copyrighted materials without the authorization of the works' owners. Authorization is often secured by paying the copyright holder. Piracy is committed in many ways, including via optical disc and videocassette, the Internet, theatrical print theft, signal theft, broadcast piracy, public performance and parallel imports.

What are the maximum penalties under the Copyright Act of Taiwan? What are the maximum penalties ruled by court in Taiwan?

According to the Copyright Act of Taiwan, a person who with the intent to sell or rent by means of reproducing an infringing copy of copyrighted material is subject to imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than five years, and in addition, may be fined up to five million New Taiwan Dollars.

A person who distributes or with intent to distribute publicly displays or possesses an infringing copy of copyrighted material knowing that it infringes on economic rights shall be imprisoned not less than six months and not more than three years and, in addition thereto, may be fined up to two million New Taiwan Dollars.

So far, the maximum imprisonment awarded by court in Taiwan is five years and the maximum fine is $1 million.