Latest News

11th January 2010

COURT TAKES TOUGH ACTION AGAINST KENT COUNTERFEITER

Lawrence Barratt, a 32-year-old from Chatham, Kent, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on 8 December 2009 of bReaching the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 by manufacturing and selling counterfeit DVDs.

Barratt was sentenced to two years suspended imprisonment, plus 175 hours unpaid work requirement and ordered to pay £750 costs. The Judge also made a Section 18 Proceeds of Crime Act Order and a Forfeiture and Destruction Order in relation to seized evidence.

Bexley Trading Standards Officers observed Barratt and another individual on 29 July 2007 selling counterfeit DVDs and CDs at a local boot fair.

The following year, The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), passed information to Bexley Trading Standards about numerous websites that were selling counterfeit DVDs and which were eventually found to be run by Mr Barratt.

Later the same year, two Police Officers stopped a car driven by Mr Barratt. During a routine inspection of the vehicle, the officers found a holdall containing counterfeit DVDs.

Subsequent searches of properties linked to Barratt led to the discovery of 22 DVD burners, 600 DVDs, computers and inlay cards at premises in Firside Grove, Sidcup, Old Farm Avenue, Sidcup and Great Queen Street Dartford.

Mr Barratt appeared at Bexley Magistrates' Court on 26 October 2009, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of making for sale counterfeit inlay sleeves. He was committed to Woolwich Crown Court on 10 November 2009 for sentencing and consideration of an application for a confiscation order.

top of page

21st December 2009

£50,000 OF COUNTERFEIT DVDS SEIZED IN NORTHERN IRELAND RAIDS

A 36 year old man from Belfast has been charged with two offences related to counterfeiting after a proactive police operation yesterday. The man will appear at Newtownards Magistrates Court on 11 January.

Two other men,aged 32 and 41, are still being questioned by detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch.

The operation, which involved searches in Newtownards, Belfast and Downpatrick, was a joint initiative between PSNI's Organised Crime Branch, FACT (the Federation Against Copyright Theft) and the British Phonographic Industry.

Police recovered counterfeit CDs and DVDs worth in the region of £50,000 during the operation yesterday.
top of page

15 September 2009

£142,000 CONFISCATED FROM CONVICTED COUNTERFEITER

A major counterfeiter from south east London has had assets totalling £142,000 confiscated, having already been jailed for related criminal activity.

Neil Anthony Norton, 42, from Bromley was sentenced to three years in prison in September 2008 by Blackfriars Crown Court for trading in a variety of counterfeit luxury consumer goods and manufacturing illegal copies of music film, games and computer software which he sold mainly via his own website and the internet.

Mr Norton’s home address was raided by officers from Lewisham Council, assisted by representatives from the Federation against Copyright Theft (FACT), BPI (formerly known as the British Phonographic Industry) and officers from Bromley police. His home contained all the equipment necessary to operate on a large commercial scale, as well as large quantities of counterfeit goods and cash.

An extensive investigation followed to determine Norton's turnover from his counterfeiting operation.

At the confiscation hearing which took place on 13 August 2009 at Blackfriars Crown Court, the court was told that Mr Norton had derived a total benefit of £500,000 from his criminal conduct. However, it was agreed between Lewisham Council and the defendant’s lawyer that a total of £142,108.04 was available for confiscation, which included hidden assets of £25,000. His available assets included vehicles, cash, and the net proceeds of the sale of his home.

Mr Norton is required to pay the full £142,108.04 within 12 months. Failure to do so will mean he will have to serve an additional two and half years in jail.

The Court also ordered that all the property seized during the raid should be destroyed. The items include a vast quantity of computer equipment and thousands of counterfeit items.

Councillor Susan Wise said: “Lewisham Council takes this type of crime very seriously and will always prosecute counterfeiters where possible. This case in particular demonstrates the severe penalties that can be imposed by courts on counterfeiters. People who undertake this activity should be aware that they face losing their profits and any assets gained from them, including their homes. It just goes to show that crime of this type really doesn’t pay.”

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: “Criminals have been operating counterfeiting businesses with impunity for too long. This case and others show that they can be hit hard with the double whammy of a jail sentence and forfeiture of assets, making this type of crime far less attractive and thus a substantial deterrent to others. The impact of counterfeiting is severe; the livelihoods of the many people who work in the film, TV and retail industries in the UK are under threat from the theft of movies and programmes.”

David Wood, Director of BPI Anti Piracy Unit, stated: “This is a fantastic result. Music piracy is not a victimless crime as few musicians are wealthy and rely on the income from music sales and the investment record companies make in them to earn a living. Everyone deserves to be paid for their work.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lewisham Council for being so proactive in tackling this type of crime and I hope this a clear deterrent to those who still seek to earn an illegal living from trading in counterfeit discs.”

top of page

28 July 2009

EIGHTEEN YEARS FOR PIRACY CRIME BUSINESS RINGLEADERS

Today (28th July 2009) four members of a criminal network involved in a multi-million pound film piracy 'industry' have been jailed for a total of eighteen years at Southwark Crown Court.

The gang knowingly provided a 'one stop shop' supply service for other criminal gangs producing and selling counterfeit DVDs in London and the South East, with international links.

At approx 11.30 on 13 June 2006, officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Film Piracy Unit and Territorial Support Group entered residential and business premises in North Chingford, Harlow and Walthamstow at which ten people were arrested.

Utilising intelligence from a number of sources including FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industries) and Waltham Forest Trading Standards, the Film Piracy Unit was able to target this highly successful criminal network.

The operation, codenamed Donets, began in the early part of 2006 following an interception of a parcel by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at Stansted Airport.

The parcel was addressed to Rafi Sheikh and contained a Toyota car catalogue which had ten silver metal discs hidden in the pages. The discs were believed to be metal pre-masters utilised by industrial DVD replication machinery.

HMRC handed the parcel over to FACT which, with the assistance of IFPI, was able to confirm that each disk was in fact a 'stamper' or original master copy.

As the 'stamper' could only be used to duplicate film imprinted upon it this indicted the presence in the UK of an industrial replication plant, the first time such a rogue plant had been identified in Western Europe.

FACT contacted the Film Piracy Unit at the MPS which began an extensive surveillance operation at the home and various business addresses connected to the directors and family associates of the company, Samrana Ltd.

The Samrana warehouse in Harlow was the main supplier, sustaining the production of counterfeit film product on a very large scale by criminal networks in London and the South East. The directors of Samrana Ltd and other family members were able to conduct their criminal enterprise under the cover of a company conducting legitimate business.

The location of the industrial replication machinery was traced to a counterfeiting factory situated in industrial premises in Walthamstow and is now physically located in Vietnam having been exported from the UK via Hong Kong by the principles of Samrana following the seizure of the 'stampers'.

Sami and Rafi Ashgar-Sheikh were directors of Samrana Ltd and had used money from their father Khalid Ashgar-Sheikh to start the business in 2003. Through its criminal activities the 'business' had grown substantially within a short period of time and the suspects were able to purchase the industrial premises in Harlow for a substantial sum in 2005 injecting substantial sums of cash, believed to be the proceeds of this criminality. Other members of the family were involved in the day-to-day operation of the business

Standing trial with the principles of Samrana was Xin Li, an illegal entrant to the UK who acted as a quartermaster/organizer for one of the criminal networks who worked closely with Samrana. He stated that he and his wife paid £20,000 each to come illegally into the UK from China. As he was educated and able to speak English he became responsible for orchestrating/organising the workforce and illegal 'factories' operated by a Chinese based organised crime group in the UK.

Vast sums of money were realized by both Samrana and the group organized by Xin Li, much of which left the UK. An investigation aimed at tracing and confiscating these criminal assets is now continuing. At the time of the searches £106,000 in cash was located hidden in various locations throughout the home occupied by the Sheikh family and a further £24,000 recovered from the bedroom occupied by Xin Li and his wife.

The organized crime groups they were supplying used a workforce of largely illegal Chinese immigrants who had been trafficked into the UK for this purpose. They were housed in 'factories' which ranged from industrial units to terraced houses. These factories were generally short term lets where the illegal immigrants worked and lived around the clock in conditions of 'virtual slavery'.

The technology utilised by these groups was very different from that described previously and was based around a 'burning' technology, similar to that available on any home computer but in character more akin to an industrial production line. It was this 'industry' that required the vast amounts of raw materials, such as discs, burner towers and specialist disc printers that were required in the production of the counterfeit materials. It was these 'factories' that supplied the many street sellers, many of whom are of Chinese origin, who can be found selling counterfeit film product (both mainstream film and unregulated pornography) on the streets of any UK city.

The factories were capable of producing hundreds of thousands of illegal copies per week of popular movies, with hundreds of different titles being copied. They were also highly active in the illegal distribution of unregulated pornographic material, including some content that would never be licensed in the UK. These pornographic DVDs are sold on the streets alongside the mainstream movie titles.
___

Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Mawer, Economic and Specialist crime command, Film Piracy Unit, Met Police, said:

"This sentencing is the result of three years' hard work and investigation into the activity of an extensive criminal network. Film piracy is not a victimless crime and it is crucial that the public ask themselves if they want to play a part in the exploitation of vulnerable people by buying illegal DVD's. "

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said:

"The result and sentencing in this case sent a very strong message to those who are operating large scale criminal businesses making and selling counterfeit DVD's.

"This was not a small scale business - this was a well run and highly organized criminal enterprise with links to international crime gangs that are impacting on the livelihoods of the tens of thousands of people who work in the UK film and TV industries.

"The success in this case comes on the back of a long and complex investigation initiated by FACT and pursued through the diligence of officers from the Met. I would like to thank them for all their hard work"

Paul Warren, IFPI Anti-Piracy Operations Coordinator, said:

"This was a criminal syndicate with a global reach operating on an industrial scale. Our team was able to work closely with industry partners to provide valuable evidence, with our forensics experts supporting the police throughout their investigation. The police enquiry into this complex case was outstanding and it was a great example of public/private sector cooperation across the industry, sending a clear message that we will use all our resources tackle this type of organised crime."

The Film Piracy Unit had been set up in early 2006, in partnership with FACT, in order to deal with the growing problems surrounding the production and sale of counterfeit film product by organized criminal groups. The unit, part of the Specialist Crime Directorate at New Scotland Yard, was staffed with financial investigators and placed reliance on the powers provided by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2004 as their primary investigative tool

The defendants were sentenced today (28th July 2009) as below:

Sami ASGHAR-SHEIKH [4.1.81 - 28 ys] of North Chingford - found guilty of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of Film Piracy, and conspiring to produce pirate DVDs contravening the Trademark Act and Copyright was sentenced to a total of six years (three years custodial and three years on prison licence).

Rafi ASGHAR-SHEIKH [1.9.82 - 26 ys] of North Chingford - found guilty of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of Film Piracy, and conspiring to produce pirate DVDs contravening the Trademark Act and Copyright was sentenced to a total of six years (three years custodial and three years on prison licence).

Khalid ASGHAR-SHEIKH [5.5.56 - 53 ys] of North Chingford - found guilty of conspiring to launder the proceeds of Film Piracy was sentenced to a total of four years (two years custodial and two years on licence).

Xin Li a/k/a Jerry Li [23.8.74 - 34 ys] (male) from London, E17 - found guilty of concealing the proceeds of crime, namely Film Piracy, and not guilty on conspiring to launder the proceeds of film piracy was sentenced to a total of 27 months (half custodial and half on licence).

Richard Russell [28.8.79 - 28 ys], from Dagenham - pleaded guilty to a minor offence relating to copyright issues at the start of the trial. He was given a community service order.
top of page

17 July 2009

COUNTERFEIT GOODS WEBSITE TAKEN DOWN| FOUR ARRESTED | JOINT OPERATION ACROSS HERTS., BEDS. AND BUCKS.

An intelligence led operation targeting a website (www.xv99.com) that was selling counterfeit films, TV programmes, games, music and software by post in the UK has resulted in raids on six addresses and the arrests of four people in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Hertford.

The operation, codenamed Troy, took place on Tuesday (14th July) and brought together the resources of Trading Standards and Police officers from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Thames Valley as well as industry bodies FACT, BPI and ELSPA, representing the film/ TV, music and games industries respectively.

FACT’s Internet Investigations and Intelligence teams had been monitoring the website and indentified individuals and addresses believed to be connected with the running of the site and the sale and distribution of the counterfeit product.

A huge quantity of equipment and discs were seized from the houses raided as well as from a secure rented storage facility.

Total seizures:
180 burning trays
40k burnt DVD-Rs
Over 60k blank discs
Several PCs and printers and a large quantity envelopes and packaging materials

One female was arrested in Luton and another in Bedford. A male and a female were arrested at an address in Milton Keynes. All have been bailed until October pending further investigations.
top of page

9 July 2009

MAJOR PIRACY NETWORK TAKEN DOWN

L-R: Rafi Asghar-Sheikh, Sami Asghar-Sheikh, Xin Li, also known as Jerry Li

Yesterday (8 July) members of a criminal network involved in a multi-million pound film piracy 'industry' have been found guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

The gang knowingly provided a 'one stop shop' supply service for other criminal gangs producing and selling counterfeit DVDs in London and the South East, with international links.

Those convicted are remanded - some in custody and some on bail - to be sentenced on 28 July.

At approx 11.30 on 13 June 2006, officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Film Piracy Unit and Territorial Support Group entered residential and business premises in North Chingford, Harlow and Walthamstow at which ten persons were arrested. Utilising intelligence from a number of sources including FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industries) and Waltham Forest Trading Standards, the Film Piracy Unit was able to target this highly successful criminal network.

The operation, codenamed 'Donets', began in the early part of 2006 following an interception of a parcel by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at Stansted Airport. The parcel was addressed to Rafi Sheikh and contained a Toyota car catalogue which had ten silver metal discs hidden in the pages. The discs were believed to be metal pre-masters utilised by industrial DVD replication machinery. HMRC handed the parcel over to FACT, which with the assistance of IFPI, was able to confirm that each disk was in fact a 'stamper' or original master copy.

As the 'stamper' could only be used to duplicate film imprinted upon it this indicted the presence in the UK of an industrial replication plant, the first time such a rogue plant had been identified in Western Europe. FACT contacted the Film Piracy Unit at the MPS which began an extensive surveillance operation at the home and various business addresses connected to the directors and family associates of the company, Samrana Ltd.

The Samrana warehouse in Harlow was the main supplier, sustaining the production of counterfeit film product on a very large scale by criminal networks in London and the South East. The directors of Samrana Ltd and other family members were able to conduct their criminal enterprise under the cover of a company conducting legitimate business.

The location of the industrial replication machinery was traced to a counterfeiting factory situated in industrial premises in Walthamstow and is now physically located in Vietnam having been exported from the UK via Hong Kong by the principles of Samrana following the seizure of the 'stampers'.

Sami and Rafi Ashgar-Sheikh were directors of Samrana Ltd and had used money from their father Khalid Ashgar-Sheikh to start the business in 2003. Through its criminal activities the 'business' had grown substantially within a short period of time and the suspects were able to purchase the industrial premises in Harlow for a substantial sum in 2005 injecting substantial sums of cash, believed to be the proceeds of this criminality. Other members of the family were involved in the day-to-day operation of the business

Standing trial with the principles of Samrana was Xin Li, an illegal entrant to the UK who acted as a quartermaster/organizer for one of the criminal networks who worked closely with Samrana. He stated that he and his wife paid £20,000 each to come illegally into the UK from China. As he was educated and able to speak English he became responsible for orchestrating/organising the workforce and illegal 'factories' operated by a Chinese based organised crime group in the UK.

Vast sums of money were realized by both Samrana and the group organized by Xin Li, much of which left the UK. An investigation aimed at tracing and confiscating these criminal assets is now continuing. At the time of the searches £106,000 in cash was located hidden in various locations throughout the home occupied by the Sheikh family and a further £24,000 recovered from the bedroom occupied by Xin Li and his wife.

The organized crime groups they were supplying use a workforce of largely illegal Chinese immigrants who had been trafficked into the UK for this purpose. They were housed in 'factories' which ranged from industrial units to terraced houses. These factories were generally short term lets where the illegal immigrants worked and lived around the clock in conditions of 'virtual slavery'.

The technology utilised by these groups was very different from that described previously and was based around a 'burning' technology, similar to that available on any home computer but in character more akin to an industrial production line. It was this 'industry' that required the vast amounts of raw materials, such as discs, burner towers and specialist disc printers that were required in the production of the counterfeit materials. It was these 'factories' that supplied the many street sellers, many of whom are of Chinese origin, who can be found selling counterfeit film product (both mainstream film and unregulated pornography) on the streets of any UK city.

The factories are capable of producing hundreds of thousands of illegal copies per week of popular movies, with hundreds of different titles being copied. They are also highly active in the illegal distribution of unregulated pornographic material, including some content that would never be licensed in the UK. These pornographic DVDs are sold on the streets alongside the mainstream movie titles.

Detective Superintendent Russell Day, Film Piracy Unit, Met Police, said:

"Today's verdict is the result of three years hard work and investigation into the activity of an extensive criminal network. Their crimes not only had an impact on the major motion picture houses but also the consumers and in particular the vulnerable Chinese people who became victims of the 'slave labourforce.' Film piracy is not a victimless crime and it is crucial that the public ask themselves if they want to play a part in the exploitation of vulnerable people by buying illegal DVD's. "

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: "This is a significant success for the Met's Film Piracy Unit working together with FACT. The focus of this operation was to dismantle an illicit business sustaining the organised crime gangs running large scale counterfeiting of audio-visual media.

"This was not a small scale business - this was a well run and highly organized criminal enterprise with links to international crime gangs that are impacting on the livelihoods of the tens of thousands of people who work in the UK film and TV industries.

"The success in this case comes on the back of a long and complex investigation initiated by FACT and pursued through the diligence of officers from the Met. I would like to thank them for all their hard work"

The Film Piracy Unit had been set up in early 2006, in partnership with FACT, in order to deal with the growing problems surrounding the production and sale of counterfeit film product by organized criminal groups. The unit, part of the Specialist Crime Directorate at NSY, was staffed with financial investigators and placed reliance on the powers provided by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2004 as their primary investigative tool

top of page

7 May 2009

FACT WIN BVA INDUSTRY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

For their relentless campaign against piracy, FACT won the BVA’s Award for Industry Initiative of the Year which acknowledged their achievements well ahead of the anticipated two year goal they gave themselves to demonstrate the effectiveness of increased investment in physical and on-line enforcement.

The BVA Awards 2009 took place in London on 30th April 2009 and were a huge success, celebrating another year of creative and commercial achievements in a retail climate that has seen many changes over the past year.

For more info click here for the BVA website.

top of page

DEFENDANTS CONVICTED
THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF THE PIRATE BAY

Stockholm, Sweden: 17.4.2009. A court in Stockholm today convicted the four defendants of copyright offences in ‘The Pirate Bay Trial’ and sentenced each to one year’s imprisonment. Substantial damages were also awarded against them.

The criminal prosecution saw the four defendants charged with contributing to copyright infringement by facilitating the illegal distribution of copyrighted material in relation to the unauthorised online distribution service, The Pirate Bay, in a trial which began on February 16th 2009.

In a press statement issued this morning the court stated that the verdict reflects that The Pirate Bay operations have been conducted “commercially and in an organised manner”.

Following the announcement of this morning’s decision, a spokesperson for the Motion Picture Association said:

“We welcome the court’s decision to convict and sentence the people behind The Pirate Bay, the source of immense damage to the creative industries in Sweden and internationally. This important decision confirms that Sweden’s laws do protect creative works and apply online. We now look to the Swedish authorities to end this criminal enterprise.

This is an important decision for rights-holders, underlining their right to have their creative works protected against illegal exploitation and to be fairly rewarded for their endeavours. This decision will help to support the continued investment in talent and in new online services (both locally and internationally), and the creation of new films and television shows for enjoyment by audiences around the world.”

Johan Holmer of the Swedish Producers’ Association said:

“Illegal file-sharing is one of the main obstacles to a positive development for Swedish film production. An international study estimated the lost revenues to MSEK 700. These are huge sums for Swedish film”

The MPA remains committed to its core mission of encouraging and pursuing common sense solutions that support the creativity of the motion picture industry and offer film fans the widest possible choice of movies and TV programmes to enjoy.

The worldwide motion picture industry, including foreign and domestic producers, distributors, theatres, video stores and pay-per-view operators lose more than US $18 billion annually as a result of movie theft. More than US $7 billion in losses are attributed to illegal Internet distributions, while US $11 billion is the result of illegal copying and bootlegging.

top of page

26 March 2009

UK'S LARGEST ILLEGAL DVD FACTORY SHUT

THOUSANDS OF DVD'S AND HUNDREDS OF DVD BURNERS SEIZED

Raids in London have led to the closure of a sophisticated large scale printing operation, printing covers for counterfeit DVDs, and the UK’s largest ever illegal DVD manufacturing facility in a joint operation with the City of London Police, the Metropolitan Police and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft).

Following a major investigation, a commercial printing operation in Wembley, North West London was raided last week and a significant number of printing plates, used to produce the covers, were seized. Titles that had been printed included Watchmen, Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Reader and Gran Torino.

Four people were arrested in connection with the large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit DVD covers and money laundering and have been released on police bail. FACT estimates the commercial business has printed millions of covers over the past year.

The arrests and seizures by officers from City of London Police’s Central Detective Unit follow another raid at a large illegal DVD factory in Southall, West London in February, which resulted in the arrest of five people and the seizure of large quantities of copying equipment and discs.

420 DVD burners were confiscated together with other equipment. In addition, there were approximately 60,000 burned and packaged DVDs ready to be despatched. Many of the discs featured the latest Hollywood blockbusters, including copies Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Milk, which had just been released at UK cinemas.

The counterfeit DVDs, which are usually sold for approximately £3 each, are known to generate substantial criminal profits for those involved in their production.

Also in the premises were 38,000 blank DVDs and one million printed covers.

City of London Police's Det Chief Inspector Dave Service said: "This operation provides further evidence of the scale of the organised criminal networks involved in DVD Counterfeiting and how big a problem it has become. This type of criminality is often looked upon as a victimless offence. However the proceeds gained are massive and can be used to fund other criminal operations while substantial damage is inflicted on the film industry, and on the UK film industry in particular."

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: "The illegal factory in Southall would have been capable of generating a criminal profit in excess of £1 million per week and we know there are dozens of such factories operating across London and in other cities in the UK. FACT is working in partnership with the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police to take out those criminal organisations and individuals who are seeking to profit from this illegal trade."

Executive Producer of Quantum of Solace, Callum McDougall, said: “We have a hugely valuable film industry here in the UK, and we have to do whatever we can to make people aware of the impact of purchasing fake DVD’s or illegal downloads.

“The UK film industry provides huge benefits to hundreds of external suppliers, film and television facilities, creative advertising agencies, television stations and also to tourism - We have seen the damage already caused to the music industry and we have to continue to make the public and government bodies globally aware of the damage that will happen if DVD piracy is not brought under control.”

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

19 March 2009

ILLEGAL DVD FACTORY UNCOVERED IN LONDON

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Obscene Publications Unit have arrested two men and seized over 50,000 counterfeit DVDs following a joint operation with City of London Police, FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and Trading Standards.

The intelligence led operation, codenamed Renard, saw officers execute a search warrant at an address in Lewisham at approx 17.00 hrs yesterday (18 March 2009). On entering, police discovered the upstairs had been converted into an illegal duplicating premise, with 120 DVD burners. Over 20,000 DVDs, all of a pornographic and some obscene nature, were also found, complete with labels and covers, ready to be illegally distributed throughout London.

This was in addition to a further 30,000 counterfeit and pornographic DVDs uncovered at two other linked premises in Tower Hamlets the previous week.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of publishing obscene articles and possession with a view to supply unclassified films; they were taken to a central London police station.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “This is a major success in closing down an illegal burning lab capable of producing over 100,000 counterfeit DVDs per week with a street value of over £300,000. These DVDs would have supplied a large number of street vendors in London and the South East, with the proceeds being funnelled back to organised criminal networks.

This seizure also included thousands of DVDs containing unlicensed hardcore pornography with some obscene material that was also destined to be sold alongside the more mainstream film and TV titles.

I would like to thank the Metropolitan Police Obscene Publications Unit for their ongoing efforts to close down this illegal activity.”

Inspector Andy Shortland from the Metropolitan Police Obscene Publications Unit said: “The nature of the DVDs in this case fuels demand for an industry based on the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable women. We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt this criminal activity and bring offenders to justice."

top of page

10 March 2009

TRADING STANDARDS SEIZE £100,000 OF PIRATE DVDs

A joint raid by Birmingham Trading Standards, West Midlands Police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) on an apartment has netted an estimated 40,000 pirate DVDs.

The raid on a residential flat on Bradford Street in Digbeth revealed three rooms piled high with DVDs that are not yet in general release. The rooms covered various genres including Bollywood films, pornography, and Hollywood titles including 'Confessions of a Shopaholic', 'The Watchmen', 'He's just not that into you', and 'Slumdog Millionaire'. Inlays from the latest and most popular films were stuck to the wall.

It is thought the apartment was used as a distribution centre. Numerous individuals are believed to have been visiting the premises to collect a supply of DVD's they would sell on the streets. No one was at home at the time of the raid.

Public protection committee chair Cllr Neil Eustace said: "This seizure is just the latest in a series of investigations that illustrate the scale of the problem. Pirate DVDs undermine and jeopardise not only future entertainment production but also the livelihood of retailers who are already suffering due to the current economic crisis. We look forward to continued cooperation with our partners at FACT and the West Midlands Police."

Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: "This is a substantial seizure of counterfeit discs which would have been sold in the Birmingham area, the potential gain on the sale of these discs would be over £100,000."

"We would like to thank West Midlands Police and Birmingham Trading Standards for their continued efforts in this area."

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

6 March 2009

16 MONTHS FOR MANCHESTER MAN CONVICTED OF COUNTERFEITING DVDS
Steven Healey rented a house to carry out his counterfeit films, music and games enterprise.

The 42-year-old was caught when a gas engineer sent around by the landlord became suspicions and called the authorities.

A raid by Greater Manchester Police, Manchester Council Trading Standards and FACT at the house on Church Road, Wythenshawe, in October, 2007 uncovered thousands of counterfeit discs, two computers and 20 DVD burners.

Investigators from FACT found stacks of blank discs, invoices, orders and postal bags containing copied films, music and games waiting to be sent out.

Two months later, FACT investigators carried out a second raid at Healey's home on Nettlebarn Road, Benchill, Wythenshawe - and found his operation was still up and running.

3,000 counterfeit discs, two computers, a laptop and another 20 burners were discovered.

In total, 10,000 counterfeit film DVDs, more than 3,075 music CDs, 4,500 games CDs and 2,250 discs containing hardcore pornography were seized.

He was arrested and made no comment during his first interview, but made a full admission when questioned a second time.

Healey, who has previous convictions for counterfeiting games, was jailed for 16 months after he admitted 14 trademark and copyright offences when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court on 16 February.

Judge Andrew Gilbart told Healey: "What you have been doing is exploiting your own ability to copy the work of artists so that they receive no payment for their work while you reap the benefits.

"It's a fraud from which you deprive income from those who created and distributed films, music and games which they had a right to expect. This was not a hobby or a small operation. It was a well-planned operation. In my judgement, you did this for personal gain, pure and simple."

The judge said Healey, at a conservative estimate, had made up to £1,600 a week.

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

27 February 2009

THOUSANDS OF DVDS AND 150 DVD BURNERS SEIZED FOLLOWING SEPARATE POLICE RAIDS IN SOUTH EAST LONDON

30,000 Counterfeit DVDs, with a street value of over £90,000, and 150 DVD burners have been seized by the Metropolitan Police following separate Police raids in Lewisham. 

Seven people were arrested after police found more than 150 DVD burners at a Gilmore Road, Lewisham address early last week (Tuesday 17 February).

Lewisham Police, working in partnership with FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and Lewisham Trading Standards, arrested all seven occupants, five males and two females. 

More than 150 DVD burners, four computers and a quantity of counterfeit DVDs were confiscated from the property. 

Sergeant Karl Parish, from Telegraph Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “Members of the public may see this as a harmless crime, but purchasing counterfeit DVDs not only deprive income to industries that support jobs in the UK, but also helps to fund other types of organised crimes. This includes drugs and human trafficking. “Anyone with information about these factories should contact police so we can take the appropriate action.” 

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “This is an excellent result uncovering a criminal enterprise capable of producing counterfeit DVDs with a street value of over £400,000 per week. However we also know that these ‘factories’ are often not operating in isolation and we will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to target the people and criminal organisations behind them.” 

As a result of a separate search warrant Brockley Safer Neighbourhoods Team seized approximately 30,000 counterfeit DVDs from a Lewisham address. 

The 30,000 DVDs seized, including recent titles Slumdog Millionaire, Revolutionary Road and Confessions of a Shopaholic, had an estimated street value of over £90,000. 

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

25 February 2009

DORSET HOUSES SEARCHED FOR COUNTERFEIT DVD OPERATIONS

Dorset Police executed two separate search warrants on two houses in the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation in relation to the alleged manufacture and sale of counterfeit DVDs.

A property in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth was entered following reports of a person allegedly copying counterfeit DVDs at the address and allegedly selling them in local pubs.

A tower computer, laptop, burner tower and numerous counterfeit discs were seized including copies of recent films including The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire and Revolutionary Road.

A search warrant was also executed at the home address of a 65-year-old man in Poole following information regarding the alleged copying and supply of counterfeit DVDs in the area.

Two computers, various external hard drives, burner trays and printers were confiscated along with approximately 1,500 counterfeit DVDs.

Two men were interviewed - a 27-year-old at an address in Boscombe and a 65-year-old in Poole. Police are continuing their enquiries.

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

11 February 2009

NINE ARRESTED IN GLASGOW COUNTERFEIT DVD FACTORY RAID

Seven men and two women have been arrested and are presently detained in police custody following a police operation which recovered thousands of counterfeit DVD’s with an estimated value of £350,000 and over 100 DVD burners.

Around 7am yesterday morning, Tuesday 10 February, police officers executed a warrant at an address in Lenzie Way, Springburn, Glasgow and recovered the DVD’s together with the disc burners capable of mass producing illegal DVD’s.

Speaking today, Detective Inspector Alan Hunter, who led this operation said: "We have been actively targeting the activities of those involved in serious and organised crime.  By working together with FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) we have successfully disrupted a group of individuals involved in illegal activities.  The manufacture of counterfeit DVD's is not only criminal but often controlled by organised crime networks as a means of funding their activities.  We will continue our focus on such groups."

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “This is an excellent result uncovering a criminal enterprise capable of producing counterfeit DVDs with a street value of over £300,000 per week. However we also know that these ‘factories’ are often not operating in isolation and we will continue to work with Strathclyde Police to target the people and criminal organisations behind them.”

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

10 February 2009

LONDONDERRY SHOPKEEPER FINED FOR SELLING COUNTERFEIT DVDs
Londonderry shopkeeper Daniel McDaid was fined a total of £200 at Londonderry Magistrates' Court for selling counterfeit DVD’S in December 2008.

In a case brought by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service, Mr McDaid, trading as ‘Box Office Rentals’, Beechwood Avenue, Londonderry, pleaded guilty to 15 charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994. The court fined Mr McDaid £50 each for the first four counts and imposed conditional discharges for the remaining 11. Mr McDaid was also ordered to pay £24 court costs and a forfeiture order was imposed for the counterfeit DVDs.

In October 2007 Trading Standards Investigating Officer Raymond Dolan visited the shop where he discovered over 1,200 DVDs which did not appear to be genuine. These DVDs were seized and forwarded to the trademark holders for examination, and were later confirmed as infringing copies.

Investigating Officer Raymond Dolan said: “Mr McDaid was actively misleading his customers by supplying counterfeit DVDs, including many recent film releases at that time.

“The public, as well as legitimate businesses, need to be protected from unscrupulous trading practices. This case should serve as a warning to other businesses that legal action will be taken to protect consumers who are misled about goods which are sold to them.”

top of page

27 January 2009

MOD POLICE INVESTIGATION FOILS DVD PIRACY ON MOD PROPERTY  

A 32-year-old man has been fined £400 after a police investigation uncovered a DVD piracy scam he was running. 

The man was ordered to pay the money, along with £87 of court costs, after pleading guilty at Woking Magistrates Court to charges of infringing copyright and breaching registered trade marks. 

Gary Paul Brown, of Pirbright, near Woking, in Surrey, was convicted following a joint investigation by the Ministry of Defence Police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT). 

The police had been alerted after a routine MOD examination of a property thought to have become vacant on a military family service quarter at Brookwood in Surrey. In one of the bedrooms, an MOD housing officer discovered a large quantity of DVD film boxes, place on shelves marked “ready to copy” or “ready to sell”. The local MOD Police community beat officer was called and further items, such as a computer, were seized. The police investigation resulted in Brown, who is a serving soldier, being charged with offences under the Copyright Act and the Trade Marks Act.  In addition to being fined, the DVDs were all confiscated. 

To assist their investigation, MOD Police CID branch called in experts from their own Computer Crime Unit and forensic computer examiners from FACT. “This sort of expertise is invaluable” said DC Stuart Dunn of MOD police.

 “Using their skills, we can examine mobile phone data and computer data to see if there is evidence of criminal behaviour.”

 Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “Making and selling counterfeit DVDs is a serious criminal offence, even if they are only being sold to work colleagues. The consequence can be a criminal record.

“FACT continues to work with the MOD Police on such matters and we will press for criminal action to be taken wherever possible.” 

DC Dunn added:  “The MOD runs its housing estate on orderly lines and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. THE MOD Police has a good working relationship with Defence Estates, who showed alertness in suspecting this crime and called us in.  

“FACT are always ready to assist the police in these cases too. If you’re going to copy commercial DVDs for personal profit, you are committing a crime and you’re risking the police knocking on your door if we’ve had a tip off.” 

top of page

26 January 2009

DARTFORD MAN ARRESTED FOR TRADING COUNTERFEIT DVDS ON INTERNET

Trading Standards Officers from the London Borough of Bexley and the Metropolitan Police, assisted by investigators from FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), seized counterfeit DVDs and burners in a raid on a property in Great Queen Street, Dartford, Kent last Thursday (22 January).

A 31-year-old man has been arrested for selling counterfeit DVDs on several websites. He has since been released and bailed to return pending further enquiries.

Counterfeit copies of recent films including Seven Pounds, Australia and 4 Christmases were among the items seized. A laptop, 22 burners and 600 blank recordable DVD were also seized.

Trading Standards and Police also executed a search warrant at a separate address in Sidcup in connection with this operation where they seized cash along with other equipment.

FACT Internet Investigators had monitored sales on a number of websites after several complaints from members of the public.

Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: "The trade in counterfeit DVDs over the internet is not a harmless activity but serious 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 the London Borough of Bexley Trading Standards and  Metropolitan Police for their assistance and their continued efforts to fight this problem."

Clive Cain, Bexley’s Head of Public Protection (Business Sector) said: “This excellent result demonstrates the benefit of enforcement agencies working in partnership. The Trading Standards Team is small but with the assistance of the Police and FACT have been able to take decisive action against a rogue trader who has profited at the expense of legitimate businesses including high street retailers.”

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

top of page

20 January 2009

5,000 COUNTERFEIT DVDS SEIZED FROM GARDEN SHED

The Metropolitan Police seized approximately 5,000 counterfeit DVDs after a house search in Brierley, New Addington, Surrey on Sunday (18th January).

A 65-year-old woman was arrested after Police and FACT investigators raided her house yesterday morning.

The DVDs were seized after the search of a garden shed at the back of the property along with a computer, printer and associated paraphernalia.

The 5,000 DVDs, valued at over £15,000, ranged from old titles to the latest titles including Defiance, featuring Daniel Craig, Seven Pounds and Four Christmases. This investigation is ongoing. 

Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: "Counterfeiting destroys the profitability and viability of the UK film and TV industries, from retail and rental outlets to film production and distribution companies, employing tens of thousands of people.

FACT continues to work assisting Police and Trading Standards in tackling this persistent and lucrative criminal trade."

Inspector Neil McPherson, Croydon Police, said: "This is a substantial seizure of what is believed to be counterfeit DVDs."

Anyone wishing to report counterfeiting activity can call the charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

top of page

12 January 2009

DRUGS, WEAPONS AND COUNTERFEIT DVDS FOUND DURING EDINBURGH HOUSE SEARCH 

Lothian and Borders Police have seized approximately 10,000 counterfeit DVDs after a house search in Edinburgh on Saturday (10th January).

As well as the DVDs, PS2 games, three DVD burning towers and a computer were also recovered from the property in the Howdenhall area.

Officers also found drugs, swords, knives and a stun-gun during the search.

Chief Inspector Donnie MacKinnon from Lothian and Borders Police said: “This is a significant discovery and a great result for our officers. The illegal production and sale of counterfeit DVDs is something that Lothian and Borders Police take very seriously.

It is important to stress that this is not a victimless crime and we will continue to work closely with our colleagues from the Federation Against Copyright Theft to crack down on copyright criminals.”

A 40-year-old man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the discovery.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “The seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs alongside counterfeit film and TV product highlights the serious criminal intent of those involved in film and TV piracy. FACT thanks Lothian and Borders Police for their ongoing efforts to tackle such criminality.”

Anyone wishing to report counterfeiting activity can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

top of page