KUCHING: The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) has warned that it will take action against any individual or entity for the unauthorised use of the logo and mascot of Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA XXI) Sarawak 2024.

Its general manager, Datuk Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Hing, said they should immediately cease and desist from unauthorised use of the logo and mascot.

"The authority reserves its legal rights to pursue remedies under civil and criminal law without further notice," he said in a statement today.

He explained that the logo and mascot have been duly registered pursuant to the statutory requirements of Section 26B of the Copyright Act 1987 (Act 332).

He added that by virtue of Section 10 (1)(i) of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Ordinance, 2017, the SMA is registered as the rightful owner of the logo and mascot.

"Hence, any unauthorised use of the logo and mascot constitutes an infringement of the authority's intellectual property rights under the Copyright Act 1987 (Act 332)," he said, adding that the use of the logo and mascot without written consent or authorisation from the SMA, including reproduction in any material form, performance, showing, playing, or distribution to the public, is prohibited.

Tiong said it is also considered copyright infringement to exhibit any infringing copy in public by way of trade and to make or possess any contrivance used or intended to be used for the purpose of making infringing copies.

"As such, the authority wishes to remind the public to abstain from willfully committing such acts, failing which individuals or entities shall be directly and/or vicariously liable for copyright infringement.

"The authority takes these infringements seriously and is committed to protecting its intellectual property rights," Tiong said.

He asked the public to respect these legal boundaries and protect the integrity of the state government's resources.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1083842/sma-warns-against-unauthorised-use-sukma-xxi-sarawak-2024-logo-and