Man Pleads Guilty for Selling Illegal Streaming Devices at Sim Lim Square

A shop owner in Sim Lim Square, Wang Yue, recently pled guilty to 17 charges of copyright infringement for selling illegal streaming devices. Along with his firm, Ace Technologies, Wang faced a total of 34 charges related to the sale of these devices.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan revealed that Wang’s company, Ace Technologies, operated four shop units in Sim Lim Square where illegal streaming devices were sold between 2018 and 2022. These devices offered access to content from major companies like Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery Inc, and even live football games from the English Premier League.

Wang personally sourced these illegal streaming devices from an overseas supplier and instructed his employees to market them to customers. The devices were sold for prices ranging from $149 to $249, earning Wang a profit of $39 to $99 per sale. Shockingly, Wang admitted to making up to $18,000 monthly from these illicit sales.

Despite receiving warnings from the Premier League to cease selling the devices, Wang continued his operations until his arrest on October 4, 2022. During the police raid, over 1,000 illegal streaming devices were confiscated from Wang’s shop.

Now facing a potential jail term and hefty fines, Wang’s case is a serious reminder of the consequences of engaging in copyright infringement. A similar case in October 2024 resulted in a 10-month jail sentence for another shop owner, Ge Xin, who sold illegal streaming devices.

Recent amendments to Singapore’s Copyright Act prohibit the sale of media streaming boxes that enable access to pirated content. This change, along with enforcement efforts like police raids and cease and desist letters from companies like the Premier League, has led to a significant decrease in the availability of illegal streaming devices in physical stores.

Overall, the case of Wang Yue serves as a cautionary tale about the legal risks involved in selling illegal streaming devices. As the authorities crack down on such activities, individuals and businesses alike must be vigilant about complying with copyright laws to avoid facing harsh penalties.