Latest News

January 2012

Newzbin barrister struck off for owning site he represented

A barrister has been struck off and fined after failing to disclose that he was the owner of a copyright-infringing website that he represented during trial - and for posting abusive Twitter messages.

David Harris had represented Newzbin during part of a 2010 High Court hearing into whether the website was liable for copyright infringement by its users. He owned 100 per cent of the shares in the website but failed to disclose the fact.
Link to The Register story

November 2011

Six Arrested in Crack Down on Organised Crime Illegal Trade in Counterfeit CDs and DVDs

Six market traders suspected of producing and selling vast quantities of counterfeit CDs and DVDs were arrested during a series of raids co-ordinated by Greater Manchester Police as part of a wider initiative to crack down on organised crime.

Manchester Evening News article

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November 2011

FILM PIRATE SENTENCED | CONVICTED OF RECORDING AND UPLOADING

Matthew Lisett aged 32 years from Fovant, Salisbury was given a two year conditional discharge at Salisbury Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday 16th November 2011) for film piracy.

Following a joint operation between the Wiltshire Police Fraud Team which is based at Melksham, and FACT( Federation Against Copyright Theft), Lisett pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act, in Relation to Film Piracy Offences committed by him in 2010.

Lisett pleaded guilty to using camera equipment concealed under his clothing at the Salisbury Odeon Cinema, to make illegal recordings of four films during their preview screenings. He then sold some of these illegal copies to another individual online, for a total of £1,798.00.

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10th November 2011

UK CINEMA STAFF REWARDED FOR PREVENTING PIRACY

11 employees from cinemas across the UK have been presented with awards totalling £7,000 for their efforts in preventing illegal recordings (so called ‘camcordings’) taking place.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the Film Distributors’ Association (‘FDA’) operate a training, prevention and reward scheme for all UK cinemas. Illegal recordings of films are the primary source for pirate copies worldwide - recordings are uploaded to the internet and made available within hours to millions of people.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said,"These rewards prove the ongoing commitment from everyone working in the film sector to combat piracy. A recording captured in a cinema is the primary source for illicit online files and pirate DVDs and cinema staff are on the front line of the fight; continuing to prevent such recordings in the UK. I am delighted to be able to acknowledge and reward their achievements."

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27th October 2011

£9,500 confiscation order for Armagh counterfeiter

At a hearing last month at Newry Crown Court, a confiscation order for £9,500 was handed to Michael Molloy, age 41, of Armagh. This order follows his conviction on 22nd January 2011 at Newry Crown Court for 13 counterfeiting and trademark offences. If the full £9,500 is not paid by 5th March 2012 a six month jail sentence will be served in default.

17th October 2011
Portsmouth pirate DVD operation is shut down after raid

FACT intelligence led to a raid and seizure of a large quantity of counterfeit DVDs:

BBC News story and video here

August 2011

Pirate DVDs funded Oldbury factory worker's family wedding

A glass factory worker has been jailed for producing and selling pirate DVDs and games to pay for foreign holidays, a house extension and family wedding.

BBC News story

ITV News story