A mobile phone dealer was caught recently in Penang for selling ringtones illegally. The dealer was nabbed during an operation jointly conducted by the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) and the state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement division.

The dealer will be the first person in Malaysia to be charged under section 41(1) of the Copyright Act 1987 with the offence. If guilty, the offender could be fined between RM2,000 and RM20,000 per song or liable to a 5 year jail sentence or both. In the past offenders were only summoned and released after questioning.

RIM has so far not authorised any dealer in Penang to sell songs of its member companies as ringtones to the public.