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News / Archive - December 2008
01 December 2008
KNOCK OFF DVD SELLERS GET PRISON
Two Chinese men have received prison sentences for selling counterfeit DVDs in Tesco car park on Morning Lane in Hackney. The men, who both had previous convictions for similar offences, were arrested during a joint operation by Hackney police, trading standards and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft). A third man, was also given a police caution.
Mr Gou Awei, from Lower Clapton Road, E5, pleaded guilty to selling and offering to sell illegal DVDs on Saturday 15 November, at Thames Magistrates Court last month (17/11/08).
Gou Awei was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment for a breach of a suspended sentence, issued by the courts in May 2008 for similar offences, plus a further 20 weeks suspended sentence. Mr Jian Ming Chen of the same address as Gou Awei was given a police caution for selling counterfeit DVDs.
Also convicted was Mr Ben Shi He of no fixed address. Shi He pleaded guilty to selling and offering to sell counterfeit DVDs on Saturday 22 November, at Thames Magistrates Court last week (24/11/08). He was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, for a breach of an ASBO order issued earlier this year for the same offences in Tesco car park.
Sergeant Michiela Medcraft, Chatham Safer Neighbourhoods team said: "This operation has been a great success and demonstrates true partnership working with Hackney Council Trading Standards and FACT. The custodial sentences imposed by the courts show how seriously this issue is being taken. Counterfeit DVDs fund organised criminal networks and we will continue to work hard to tackle this problem.”
Commenting in the convictions Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “The activities of these pirate DVD sellers in Hackney have been a real nuisance for locals. That’s why we’re continuing to work very closely with the police, FACT and local businesses to stamp out this illegal activity.”
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said, “FACT is pleased to be working with Hackney Safer Neighbourhood Police and Hackney Council to deter and disrupt the overt sale of knock off DVDs in Hackney.”
To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.
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02 December 2008
MASSIVE HAUL OF FAKE DVD AND NINTENDO GAMES
Sandwell Council Trading Standards and West Midlands Police, assisted by investigators from FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), seized fake DVDs and Nintendo Wii games with street value of nearly £300,000 in a raid on a property in the Rowley Regis area of Sandwell last week.
Counterfeit copies of recent films including The Mummy 3, The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia and Nintendo Wii games such as Mario Olympics and NBA 08 were among items captured.
Following intelligence received from FACT, an early morning raid at the property last Thursday (November 27) saw the seizure of a substantial quantity of 'master' discs capable of being used to produce multiple copies of well-known films and games. Officers started at 5.30am and were still working until 10.30pm.
Around 9,000 discs with an estimated street value of £250,000 were seized with approximately 1,000 Nintendo Wii games with a market value estimated at up to 40,000. Top quality printing and computer hardware were also seized.
Two people were arrested and bailed pending further investigations and are facing criminal charges.
Councillor Mahboob Hussain, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods & housing, said: "Sandwell Trading Standards has developed an excellent reputation for targeting and stamping out illegal activity involved with the counterfeiting and piracy of computer software.
"Such illegal trade damages legitimate businesses and deceives the public who receive poor quality inferior goods."
Sandwell Council's Trading Standards Manager Bob Robinson said: "Anyone in Sandwell who is either trading in counterfeit goods, or even thinking of doing so, should beware - you could be next to receive an early morning call!
"We are determined to protect legitimate business and adequately protect the public from becoming the recipient of sub-standard products."
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: "The trade in counterfeit DVDs over the internet is not a harmless activity but serious and organised criminality that FACT is working to attack in conjunction with law enforcement agencies across the UK. This criminality affects the livelihoods of the tens of thousands of people who work in the UK film and TV industries.
"I would like to thank West Midlands Police and Sandwell Trading Standards for their assistance and their continued efforts to fight this problem."
Michael Rawlinson, Deputy Director General of ELSPA, commented: "Software counterfeiting is not just a back bedroom scam, but a serious offence, often with links to organised crime.
"ELSPA would like to thank Sandwell Trading Standards for their work in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion, helping to protect local traders and the general community from the effects of pirated goods."
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03 December 2008
FACT INVOLVED IN FAKE FREE PILOT
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has been involved in piloting an innovative anti-piracy campaign that aims to make London a fake free zone by the Olympics in 2012. The campaign was formally announced on December 3rd and is being led by the MPA and UK Film Council with support from FACT, UK Intellectual Property Office, London Councils, London Trading Standards Association and the Metropolitan Police. It will be the largest ever collaboration on anti-piracy in the UK.
In the first two week period 39 arrests were made. This included 82 seizures in Tower Hamlets, Brent & Harrow and Lewisham. All together approximately 90,250 DVD’s have been seized along with a number of pornographic DVD’s, 16 DVD burners, credit cards and two computers.
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT says: “Piracy is often seen as a “victimless” crime but this could not be further from the truth. As an illegal “business” it generates £200m a year for criminals in the UK. Evidence also shows that the manufacture, distribution and sale of fake DVDs, is controlled by organised crime networks operating in the UK and worldwide. The aim of Fake Free London is to enable and assist enforcement agencies across the capital in tackling the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit DVDs and the organised criminal networks enabling and profiting from this illegal trade.”
Copyright theft cost the film and TV industries £486m in 2007. Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London commented: “The general public need to know that piracy has a devastating loss to the UK film and TV industry - almost £500m was lost in revenue in 2007. This not only affects the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people who work in UK film but may start to impact on the creativity and quality of films themselves.”
Through education, the campaign will help local government, businesses, traders and the wider community understand the gravity of piracy and how it affects their borough. Councillor Daniel Moylan of London Councils said: “London Councils is committed to fighting for more resources for London and getting the best possible deal for London’s 33 councils. We develop policy, lobby government and others, and run a range of services designed to make life better for Londoners.”
David Lammy MP, Minister of State for Intellectual Property and Higher Education said: "Legislation alone will not combat counterfeiting and piracy. Good law is great but enforced law is better. The Fake Free London campaign sends a clear message that we are all serious about tackling this problem. This partnership will ensure that consumers, legitimate businesses and their employees are protected from those that choose to break the law."
As part of this initiative the film industry is committed to giving back to people in local communities. There will be free screenings of Danny Boyle’s latest film Slumdog Millionaire in all three London boroughs in December. A programme will also be put into place next year which entails Local libraries receiving DVD donations, allowing members of the public to come and borrow genuine DVDs.”
Photo Left: IP Minister David Lammy shredding some of the counterfeit DVDs seized.
Photo Right: Lucky, one of two black Labradors owned by the Motion Picture Association and FACT, with some of the counterfeit DVDs. Lucky and Flo are the first animals in the world to be trained to sniff out optical discs.
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08 December 2008
8 PEOPLE ARRESTED AFTER POLICE SEARCH HOUSE IN GLASGOW
A large quantity of counterfeit DVD's with an estimated value of over £200,000 was recovered during an operation involving Strathclyde Police and The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
On Thursday 4 December 2008, officers executed a warrant at an address in Cornwall Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow.
As a result six men and two women were arrested and detained in police custody in connection with the recovery.
Detective Inspector Blair Calderwood of Helen Street CID said: "This seizure forms part of Operation League which is a national operation headed by Strathclyde Police targeting serious and organised crime groups involved in this type of activity and other areas of criminality.
"We will continue to target those individuals involved in a bid to curb this type of criminality in Strathclyde and indeed Scotland."
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General added: "The sale of counterfeit DVDs on the streets of Glasgow has become a major problem over the past couple of years and this intelligence led operation was aimed at those supplying the product.
"Not only is the sale of knock off DVDs illegal in itself but the trade is largely controlled by organised criminal networks for whom this is another way of funding their activities.
"I would like to commend Strathclyde Police for their work on this operation and thank them for their ongoing efforts to tackle this serious criminal activity."
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10 December 2008
TARGETING COUNTERFEITERS IN HULL
Police officers, anti-piracy agencies and the Hull Council Trading Standards took to the streets of Hull to round up known counterfeiters earlier this week (8 December).
Behind the scene teams of detectives and anti-piracy investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft have been conducting a covert operation at markets at Walton Street and Craven Park over the last six months.
The hard work resulted in 12 targeted suspects were arrested for counterfeiting offences.
Charges have been brought against seven of those suspected counterfeiters and all those charged are due to appear at the Kingston upon Hull Magistrates Court on Wednesday 17 December 2008.
A further five suspects have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A large quantity of counterfeit optical media and money were seized during the raids.
At two addresses computer equipment for copying were confiscated, while a electric stun gun was also seized.
In summing up Operation Cobra so far, Detective Sergeant Mike Reed said: “Counterfeit goods costs the music and film industry millions of pounds each year and this multi-agency operation shows that it will not be tolerated in Hull.
“I am pleased with the success of Operation Cobra. With many of those targeted being arrested and charged yesterday and facing courts in the next couple of weeks.
“I would also like to reiterate to people that buying counterfeit goods supports an illegal trade which can put puts many people’s jobs at risk within retail and the entertainment industries.”
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “We are delighted to be working with Humberside Police and all the agencies involved to crack down on the illegal trade in counterfeit goods.
“Walton Street Market has been a problem for a number of years with the overt sale of counterfeit DVDs and we welcome any moves to tackle this ongoing problem.”
Enquiries are still ongoing to identify two of people linked with alleged counterfeiting offences.
Two person did identify themselves to police after seeing themselves in the media.
Anyone with information about suspected counterfeiters are urged to contact Humberside Police, tel 0845 60 60 222 or CrimeStoppers anomalously on 0800 555 111.
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17 December 2008
KEEP YOUR DVDS FAKE FREE THIS CHRISTMAS
A raid by Lewisham Council, to counter the sale of counterfeit DVDs, has netted an estimated 30,000 fake DVDs.
Council officers, a team from the Federation Against Copyright Theft and Lewisham police raided a flat off Loampit Hill in Lewisham yesterday (16 December) and found the massive haul of fake films. Some of the titles have only just gone on general release in cinemas in the last couple of days. These include The Day the Earth Stood Still, Madagascar 2 and Australia.
Lewisham is one of three London boroughs, along with Tower Hamlets and Brent, that recently took part in a new anti-piracy pilot project to make the capital a 'fake free London' by 2012, in time for the Olympics.
The multi-agency campaign saw two weeks of activity targeting counterfeit DVD sellers. Staff from Lewisham Council carried out two weeks of intensive activity that focused on itinerant street sellers. Over the period, the Council saw 57 seizures with two people receiving custodial sentences, and more than 9,000 illegal DVDs seized.
It was intelligence information received from the ‘fake free’ campaign that led to yesterday’s successful raid.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: "This raid has yielded another fantastic result. More of these illegal copies are off the streets.
“I was very proud that Lewisham was chosen as one of the pilot boroughs for the ‘Fake Free London’ campaign. The Council has a strong commitment working to expose counterfeit DVD factories, and itinerant sellers. We have a good track record working on raids with the police and we aim for that to continue.
"Unfortunately, while counterfeit DVDs can seem like a bargain, often the quality is appalling. Sadly, I think that most people who might buy them don’t realise that their money goes straight back to organised crime syndicates, which fund the illegal copying factories and distribution centres like the one raided yesterday. What people may not also realise is that their money is going directly towards funding prostitution, people trafficking, drugs and the making and supply of pornographic material - and that can mean the most hardcore pornography. Help us put these people out of business - the next time you’re offered a counterfeit DVD - don’t buy it."
FACT Director General, Kieron Sharp, said: "The trade in counterfeit DVDs brings harm to local communities and threatens local businesses and legitimate market traders.
“I would like to thank the Lewisham Council team and the police for their assistance and their continued efforts to tackle this problem."
To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.
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23 December 2008
COUNTERFEITER PAYS TWICE
A South Gloucestershire man has been made to pay back nearly £6,000, which he was assessed to have made from sales of counterfeit films, games and music as well as pornographic films. He was also ordered to pay £4,833 in prosecution costs. This is in addition to previously being given a 6 month suspended sentence and ordered to do 150 hours of community service.
Dominic Brooks, 33, of Blaisdon, Yate, appeared before Bristol Crown Court on 18th December in connection with proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which were brought following his conviction for 29 offences under the Trade Marks Act and the Video Recordings Act.
The original case was taken by South Gloucestershire Trading Standards who targeted Brooks following information implicating him in the sales of counterfeited material to his work colleagues at the Sainsbury’s distribution centre in Emerson’s Green. A warrant was executed at his home address in December 2006, when he was arrested and a large amount of evidence relating to counterfeiting was detained. FACT investigators assisted with the identification of counterfeit product.
Subsequent investigations by Trading Standards revealed that Brooks was in possession of monthly lists, in which he priced and detailed all the films, music and games that he was selling. It was further established that these lists were regularly circulated to many of his 92 work colleagues on a monthly basis, when he would update them of the new titles that he was able to offer. In addition, forensic examination of his computer revealed that he was receiving email orders for the products he listed.
When Brooks’ case was originally dealt with in Court it was established that the copied films, games and music he had in his possession amounted to a legitimate market value in excess of £80,000.
Mr Brooks was sentenced for these crimes at Bristol Crown Court in July 2008, when a forfeiture order was also made for thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment and associated materials that were in his possession for counterfeiting purposes. The Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were taken with the assistance of the UK Intellectual Property Office (formerly the Patent Office) with the aim of recovering assets Brooks had gained from his criminal activity.
After the hearing Neil Derrick, Senior Enforcement Officer with South Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: “Mr Brooks was proven to be a workplace counterfeiter and effectively he has been punished twice for this, as he has a criminal conviction and sentence as well as being £10,500 worse off after the court proceedings. If he fails to pay the confiscation order within 6 months he will be sentenced to a further 4 months imprisonment and still have to pay the figure.”
He added: “ People should not underestimate the damage that counterfeiters like Mr Brooks do to local economies and it is especially important that we protect legitimate businesses in this tough economic climate”
Anyone wishing to report counterfeiting activity can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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