Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Common Law

Offence: Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Common Law
It is an offence contrary to the common law for two or more persons to agree to embark on a course of conduct which, if the agreement is carried out in accordance with their intentions, will necessarily amount to or involve some third party being deprived of some thing which is his or to which he is or would be or might be entitled. The offence is extremely wide and even agreements which might have the effect of injuring a third party's proprietary rights in copyright material have been held to constitute the offence. (scott v metropolitan police commissioner [1975] ac 819)

Penalties: Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Common Law
The offence is triable only on indictment. Section 12(1) criminal justice act 1987 provides for a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Specimen charge/summons: Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Common Law
On a day between the ... Day of... 19.. And the ... Day of... 19.. In the county of... And elsewhere, conspired with ... And with persons unknown to defraud the copyright owners of various video films by marketing/distributing/manufacturing infringing copies of video films contrary to the common law