A Russian university student was fined RM10,000 for illegally recording “Now You See Me 3” during a cinema screening in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: A Russian student was fined RM10,000 by the Sessions Court for illegally recording a film screening at a cinema.
Golod Artem, 21, pleaded guilty to using his mobile phone to record part of “Now You See Me 3” during a November 13 screening in Bukit Jalil.
Judge Izralizam Sanusi imposed the fine with an alternative 10-month imprisonment sentence, which the private university student paid.
The offence falls under Section 43A(1) of the Copyright Act 1987, carrying penalties from RM10,000 to RM100,000 or up to five years imprisonment.
Cinema management observed the student recording for approximately 45 minutes before intervening.
A 31-minute recording of the film was discovered in the student’s phone gallery during verification.
CCTV review revealed the accused had committed a similar offence on October 9.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir emphasised public interest must override personal interest in sentencing.
“The accused is fully aware that recording inside a cinema is an offence,” he told the court.
Defence lawyer Kanesan Subrananiam appealed for leniency, stating the recording was for personal use only.
He also informed the court his client had missed classes since being remanded on November 13.
