A Johor-based homestay operator has reached a RM70,000 settlement with Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd over the illegal streaming of the broadcaster’s content.
In a statement, Astro said this was the first time its subsidiary Measat Broadcast Systems Sdn Bhd had resolved a piracy case involving a short-term rental business.
Astro’s chief sales and marketing officer Tai Kam Leong said the case highlighted the spread of content piracy.
“Whether it’s a hotel, café or short-term rental, those in the hospitality sector must understand using TV boxes to stream content without a commercial licence is unlawful and undermines the creative economy,” he said.
In November 2022, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that broadcasting content from unauthorised sources for commercial use without the proper licence was illegal.
The homestay operator, registered as The Cactus X Empire, was found to have used unauthorised streaming devices to broadcast Astro channels at rental units in Iskandar Puteri and Johor Bahru without a commercial subscription.
Under the settlement, it agreed to pay RM46,000 in damages and legal costs, subscribe to five AstroBIZone commercial packages valued at RM24,000 for at least 12 months and issue a formal apology on its official Facebook page.
The apology posted on the Cactus Homestay JB Facebook page acknowledged the infringement and urged others in the hospitality industry to use only licensed sources for entertainment content.
“We unequivocally condemn all forms of piracy and affirm our commitment to respecting Astro’s intellectual property rights now and in the future. We are grateful to Astro for allowing us the opportunity to rectify our actions,” said the operator.
In January, Measat was awarded RM175,000 in another case involving the unauthorised streaming of its premium content.
The same High Court ruled in favour of Measat on Jan 7, after Frenz Pool Café and Tuwang 69 Sdn Bhd were found to have streamed an English Premier League match without permission.
The court also issued a permanent injunction against the two companies, barring them from further unauthorised use of Astro’s content.
