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FACT Commendations
The Federation Against Copyright
Theft seeks to acknowledge and recognise individuals
or organisations which display exemplary levels
of commitment in tackling film piracy.
Some recent recipients of the
Certificate of Commendation and a donation of
£500 to a charity of their choice are:
2007
Hackney
Hackney Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Hackney Council, Tesco
At a ceremony at Hackney Town Hall FACT presented Commendations to those who have worked on recent anti-piracy enforcement in Hackney to applaud their efforts and thank them for their outstanding work.
In addition FACT presented a cheque for £500 to St Joseph’s Hospice, a charity nominated by Hackney Police. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe.
Commendations were presented to the Hackney Safer Neighbourhoods team and Inspector Richard Munns, Russell Hartley-Jones (Hackney Council) and Gordon Gregg (Tesco), all of whom were instrumental in working with FACT to set up and coordinate the operation in February.
Kieron Sharp added: “The work done by Inspector Munns and his team, Russell and Gordon showed the benefits of adopting a multi-agency approach to tackling the problem of film piracy. I would like to thank them for their efforts and I know that they will continue to work to keep this problem off the streets of Hackney.”
Inspector Richard Munns added: “I would like to thank FACT for this commendation and the generous donation to a local charity.”
Holloway (Met Police, London)
Nags Head and Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods Teams
 
 
2006
Peckham (Met Police, London)
Three police officers from Peckham, South East London, have been awarded FACT Commendations in recognition of exemplary standards in tackling film piracy.
Inspector Dawn Adamson, Sergeant Christopher Ellen and Sergeant Simon Brown were presented with their awards by FACT Director General, Raymond Leinster, at a ceremony at FACT’s offices in Middlesex. Also presented was a cheque for £500 to the officers’ nominated charity, Demelza House Children's Hospice which aims to provide support to families who have a child with a life limiting condition.
Having been actively involved in pursuing crimes related to DVD piracy within Peckham Borough, the three individuals worked with FACT’s local investigator to instigate a training scheme to assist police officers in the identification of counterfeit infringing product and draft statements. The project was supported by the local CPS and the initial outcome has been positive, with one person receiving a six month jail sentence..To date five officers have attended the training and another three from the borough are due to attend soon.
Raymond Leinster, FACT Director General commented, “The initiative and commitment shown by these officers in Peckham Borough is a leading example in dealing with film piracy offences which are bringing crime and harm to local communities. ”
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E Division, Strathclyde Police
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2005
UK Patent Office
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Perth & Kinross Trading
Standards & Keith Payne (Manager, Kinross
Market)
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more
For further information on
FACT Commendations please contact our Head of
Communications on 020 8568 6646.
E
Division, Strathclyde Police
In 2005 FACT approached the
Police in E Division and voiced concerns over
the Barras Market and that due to turf wars over
the sale of pirate DVDs, several serious violent
incidents were taking place between traders while
the market was actually in operation. Chief Superintendent
Kenny Scott examined our evidence and agreed with
our conclusion. The first operation was mounted
in August 2005, resulting in 5 arrests and large
seizures of pirate film and music material. The
Police then sited a Mobile Office on the location
but some of the illegal traders changed their
tactics by exploiting children to operate as couriers
and to work at the points of sale. Chief Superintendent
Scott set up a small dedicated unit who not only
delivered the targeted operations but ensured
quality of reports for prosecution and liased
with prosecutors to service their demands.
All the major pirates from
this market now have serious cases pending against
them. Chief Supertintendent Scott and his team
are still applying the resources required to the
market to ensure that such a situation never develops
again. They have shown considerable resourcefulness
and determination which is finally killing a culture
of criminality which had been a feature of this
market for years. The industry award was presented
to E Division, Strathclyde Police, by Raymond
Leinster at a private ceremony on Friday 24 February
and it was accepted on behalf of the Division
by Chief Supertintendent Scott accompanied by
Detective Inspector Neil Robertson and Constable
David Hillhouse who ran the operational phase
of the initiative.
UK
Patent Office
In November 2005 the UK Patent Office was awarded
FACT's Certificate of Commendation.
Raymond Leinster of FACT said:
"I welcome the opportunity
on behalf of FACT and its members to formally
acknowledge the exceptional work of The Patent
Office's Enforcement Team in advancing recognition
of intellectual property crime as a crime type
of national significance."
"We are pleased to acknowledge
the exceptional personal qualities and leadership
skills demonstrated by the Enforcement Team and
their collective dedication to the challenge of
delivering change to the investigation of intellectually
property crime. The awarding of a Certificate
of Commendation serves as a testament to the esteem
which the Enforcement Team is held in by FACT,
and is tangible recognition of the value placed
on their work."
Phil Lewis who heads up the
UK Patent Office Enforcement Team added:
"We are delighted to be
receiving this award from FACT. Intellectual property
crime is a serious issue for everyone in the UK
as it is not the victimless crime that people
assume it to be. Criminals involved in these activities
are often using the proceeds for other forms of
crime."
The award follows the launch
of the Government's Intellectual Property Crime
Strategy headed up by the Patent Office. The strategy
is a multi-agency approach and intelligence led
which combats counterfeiting and piracy more effectively.
The Patent Office donated its
£500 award to the Teacher of Ten Thousand
Generations Foundation charity.
Perth
& Kinross Trading Standards & Keith Payne
(Manager, Kinross Market)
A donation of £500 was made to Childrens’
Hospice Association of Scotland
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