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19th February 2008
DVD COUNTERFEITING DUO SENTENCED TO A TOTAL OF FOUR YEARS AND SIX MONTHS FOR RUNNING AN ILLEGAL FACTORY WORTH £5
MILLION A YEAR
Yesterday [18.02.08] a DVD counterfeiting duo have been sentenced to a total of four years and six months for running an illegal factory worth £5 million a year.
The case, a long and highly complex prosecution, is the first of its kind for the Film Piracy Unit since it was established in 2006, funded by FACT [Federation Against Copyright Theft].
Long Lin [aged 33ys] of no fixed abode was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and Xiao Zhong Shi [aged 28ys] from Lopen Rd, Edmonton N18 was sentenced to three years and three months for conspiracy to contravene the Copyright and Design Act and the Trade Marks Act.
On 11.05.06 the Film Piracy Unit executed a search warrant at an address in Barton Close, Hackney. Inside the house there was evidence of a fire in the kitchen. The London Fire Brigade established that this fire was due to an overloaded electrical circuit. The occupants had left in a hurry, leaving behind a counterfeiting DVD factory, several personal belongings and a large stash of Machetes.
Paperwork found at Barton Close, led police to Long Lin and Xiao Zhong Shi as key organisers in the DVD factory - extensive equipment from DVD copiers to colour printers were in various rooms in the property indicating that the house was an organised and structured operation, in which individual rooms were allocated for certain roles.
Officers from the Film Piracy Unit were able to start investigating Shi’s financial trail through bank details found at the Barton close address. They were also able to identify Lin from the residential lease to the property.
On 4.10.06 enquiries led police to an address in Stellman Close, Hackney Downs, E5 where the suspects appeared to have re-established the factory they abandoned in Barton Close. Vast quantities of blank DVD’s, counterfeit DVD’s, DVD’s and other paraphernalia associated with a DVD factory were found at the address.
Several Chinese nationals were arrested at Stellman Close and over £9,000 in cash seized. Shi claimed that the money had come from a large casino win, stating he had only stayed in the ground floor of the premises and had no idea that the DVD factory was upstairs in the Stellman Close property.
However, police surveillance on Shi’s home address, revealed him taking delivery of approx 3,500 blank DVD’s. He was also seen delivering large black bin liners to addresses in Peckham, New Cross, Lewisham, Walthamstow and Stamford Hill suggesting that he was distributing merchandise across southeast London.
On 13.12.06 a warrant was executed on the home address of Shi, at Lopen Road, Edmonton. The address contained 10 disc copying burner towers, disc printers and approx 18,000 counterfeit DVD’s including titles such as ‘Casino Royale’, which had not yet been on general release. Titles also included pornography including bestiality.
The factory is believed to have been able to produce in the region of 14,500 discs per day when running at full capacity, potential earnings being in the region of £43,000 per day.
Shi was arrested with his vehicle, near to his home address. On searching the car, officers found a hidden pouch containing passports of two Chinese nationals. In the bedroom Shi was believed to be residing in, they found several machetes and samurai swords. DVD’s were also found in several addresses in Peckham, where Shi was seen visiting with large black bags. The addresses were being used as storage facilities.
Shi was charged 30.04.07 and Lin was charged 22.11.07 on with conspiracy to contravene the provisions of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988, contrary to section 1 (1) of the criminal law act 1977 and conspiracy to contravene the provisions of the Trade Marks Act 1994, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. They both pleaded guilty on the 8.02.08 at Southwark Crown court.
1st February 2008
SEVEN ARRESTS IN MAJOR SWOOP ON COUNTERFEITERS IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Seven men were arrested today by Greater Manchester Police as part of a major operation targeting the manufacture of counterfeit films, music, video games and software and the sale of those counterfeit goods in Grey Mare Lane Market and an illegal market near to Burnage Rugby Club. Officers from GMP and Stockport Council Trading Standards were assisted by investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the BPI, representing the film and music industries respectively.
The seven arrested have been taken to police stations for questioning.
Quantities of counterfeit discs, computers and disc burning equipment were seized and have been taken away for examination.
1st February 2008
THREE EBAY COUNTERFEITERS ARRESTED IN PORTSMOUTH
Three people were arrested today in a joint operation by officers from Hampshire Constabulary and the Federation Against Copyright Theft targeting the sale of counterfeit DVDs on the auction website eBay.
The individuals (two males, age 28 and 24, and a female, 28) are all believed to be students, and were arrested at an address in Claremont Road, Portsmouth.
24th January 2008
Half million pound pirate DVD factory raided in New Cross, SE London.
Following an intelligence led operation, a large pirate DVD factory was raided yesterday in a 3 bedroom semi-detached house in Joseph Hardcastle Close, SE14 by New Cross Safer Neighbourhoods Team and FACT.
250 burners were found, capable of producing over 170,000 knock-off DVDs a week with a street value of over half a million pounds per week.
Also in the premises were a large amount of blank DVDs and printed inlay cards.
The DVDs were believed to be destined to be sold on the streets of London by illegal Chinese immigrants working for Chinese organised criminal networks.
Titles found on the raid include Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood and Cloverfield ( which are not yet released in UK cinemas).
5 people were present on the premises – no arrests were made but investigations are continuing
23rd January 2008
FACT sponsors new Crimestoppers website
To mark its twentieth anniversary, the UK charity, Crimestoppers, has given its
www.crimestoppers-uk.org website a complete makeover. From today, the new site which uses the latest in online technology, goes live.
Crimestoppers is also delighted to announce that FACT (The Federation Against Copyright Theft) has come on board as site sponsor for three months. Since last October, FACT has been working in partnership with Crimestoppers to encourage reporting of criminal activity in audio-visual piracy and to draw attention to the serious impact counterfeiting can have on wider communities.
The new website has been designed by Precedent Communications and features a number of enhanced features, such as case studies, a crime prevention area, polls and information in different languages.
One of the special features is a purpose-built appeals management system designed specifically for police forces to enter appeals into a central database. Users can monitor the appeals through sophisticated search methods and then send valuable and potentially life-saving information to Crimestoppers quickly and anonymously.
The search functionality for the popular ‘Most Wanted’ section (www.crimestoppers-uk.org/mostwanted/) - where visitors can help solve crimes - has been vastly improved where you can now search by crime type, region, postcode and specific appeal. RSS feeds are also an option if you want to be kept up to date with new appeals in a specific region.
There is an increased emphasis on local news which can now be accessed from any page on the site. A survey carried out by Crimestoppers, showed that more than 70% of visitors to its site were looking for local information.
Crimestoppers’ CEO, Michael Laurie CBE, said: “For twenty years Crimestoppers has relied on the public to use the 0800 555 111 telephone number to report crime anonymously and we hope that through this new website even more people will be aware of our charity and how they can help to remove criminals from our streets.
“I am delighted to welcome FACT on board as our first-ever site sponsor. We share a common interest in tracking down serious criminal activity in piracy and copyright theft.”
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: “FACT is delighted to continue to support the work of Crimestoppers which has been a valuable partner for us already. Audio-visual piracy is criminal activity and such activity brings harm to local communities by attracting other crimes and much of the trade in counterfeit DVDs is controlled by organised criminal networks.
Our enforcement activity is combined with the work done by the Industry Trust for IP Awareness which seeks to change attitudes regarding the purchase of knock-off DVDs.”
11th January 2008
COUNTERFEIT DVD 'FACTORY' RAIDED
DVD'S WITH STREET VALUE OF £195,000 SEIZED
 
The discovery of a DVD factory in Eltham yesterday, Tuesday 8 January, will make a significant dent in the market for counterfeit DVDs across London, says Greenwich Police.
According to FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) it is the largest DVD factory discovered in the past 18 months.
Greenwich officers were called to 18 Ryelands Crescent, Eltham, SE12, at 8.00 am today by officers from another borough who had called there on arrest enquiries.
At the scene, they found around 65,000 counterfeit DVDs ready to be dispatched and sold on the streets; 21 copying ‘towers’ containing 210 DVD multi -burner trays and thousands of DVD sleeves and film labels in two bedrooms at the house.
In the garage, they found around 30,000 blank DVDs stored in boxes.
The equipment found in Ryelands Crescent was able to produce 800 DVDs per hour. The product cost of each DVD is about 20p but on the streets, they can sell for around £3.00 each.
Seven people, five and two women, all in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of theft of copyrights and taken to south London police stations.
Detective Superintendent Janice McClean said:
"The discovery of this DVD factory will cause serious disruption to the supply of counterfeit DVDs across London. The production of illegal DVDs is often funded by international criminal networks and can lead to further crimes such as drugs supply and prostitution being introduced to the area.
"We are extremely pleased to have taken out this major supplier and the investigation will now continue to ascertain further details about who was behind it. I would urge anybody who notices anything suspicious in their street to contact their dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods Teams who will investigate."
17th December 2007
4 ARRESTED AND 10,000 COUNTERFEIT DVDS SEIZED
Four people were arrested yesterday (16 December) and 10,000 counterfeit DVDs seized in raids on three stalls at Western International Market in Hounslow, Middlesex and on two addresses in Slough, Berkshire following intelligence gathered by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
The raids were conducted by officers from Hounslow Borough of the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police and Hounslow Trading Standards, assisted by officers from FACT.
3 males were arrested in Berkshire and 1 female was arrested in Hounslow and all have been bailed pending further investigations.
Counterfeit DVDs seized included titles such Bee Movie, The Golden Compass and The Assassination of Jesse James.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, 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 officers from the Met Police, Thames Valley Police and Hounslow Trading Standards for their assistance and their continued efforts to tackle this problem.”
14th November 2007
EBAY COUNTERFEITER JAILED
A 38-year old woman from Penrith, Cumbria was given a six month jail sentence at Penrith Magistrates Court today.
Helen Louise Sharkey, of Chestnut Close, Penrith had earlier pleaded guilty to 18 charges of breaching trade mark and copyright law, in a case brought by Cumbria Trading Standards.
The court heard that Sharkey was copying films and selling them to order over the internet, initially using eBay to advertise but then also using direct email selling to her existing client base. The matter came to light when FACT’s Internet Investigations Team became aware of Sharkey's activities and purchased eight counterfeit DVD films in May 2006.
When they received the copied films, FACT reported their findings to Cumbria Trading Standards who, accompanied by officers from Cumbria police, executed a warrant on Sharkey's house. Here, they found two copying towers for making counterfeit discs, 600 'master' film discs, over 33,000 MP3 music files and over 5,000 CD and DVD cover artworks.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said: "I hope that the sentence imposed today will act as a deterrent to others who are tempted to think that copying film or music discs is a quick and easy way to make money.
"The penalties available to the court are substantial and custodial sentences are increasingly imposed by the courts in the battle against counterfeiters."
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: "The court has clearly shown that strong penalties can be imposed on those seeking to steal films and TV programmes and use them to generate substantial criminal profits.
"There is no doubt that this person was running a criminal business and I would like to thank Cumbria Trading Standards and Cumbria Police for their diligence in bringing this case to justice."
14th November 2007
FACT SUPPORTS NORTHERN IRELAND ANTI-COUNTERFEITING CAMPAIGN
FACT was pleased to support the latest initiative by the Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland at an event attended by Paul Goggins, Policing and Justice Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force. He stated that “Buying fakes funds real crime and lines the pockets of criminals”.
He was speaking at yesterday’s launch of the Organised Crime Task Force’s Christmas advertising campaign which is aimed at highlighting the link between buying counterfeit goods and funding crime.
He said “Before you buy fake goods think about what you are really paying for? You could in reality be funding drugs, violent crime and criminal lifestyles by purchasing a dodgy DVD or a pair of fake designer jeans. That’s not much of a bargain and it’s not something that most people will want to be associated with.
Eddy Leviten, Head of Communications at FACT added: “FACT is delighted to support this campaign from the OCTF as it highlights the way that organised criminal networks are using audio-visual piracy to generate substantial profits as well as fund other criminal activities.
We have a strong working relationship with PSNI and in particular with the IP Crime Unit and we continue to see the benefits of this cooperation across Northern Ireland.”
The campaign is funded by the Northern Ireland Office, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Federation Against Copyright Theft, and includes funding from the PSNI Assets Recovery Fund.
Click here for full press release
22nd October 2007
TV LINKS WEBSITE OWNER ARRESTED FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
A man aged 26 from Cheltenham was arrested on Thursday (18th October) in connection with offences relating to the facilitation of copyright infringement on the Internet. The arrest came during an operation by officers from Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Service working with investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and Gloucestershire Police. The man has been released pending further enquiries.
The site, TV Links (www.tv-links.co.uk), was providing links to illegal film content that has been camcorded from within a cinema and then uploaded to the Internet. The site additionally provided links to TV shows that were also being illegally distributed.
Sites such as TV Links contribute to and profit from copyright infringement by identifying, posting, organising, and indexing links to infringing content found on the Internet that users can then view on demand by visiting these illegal sites.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “We at FACT have stated very clearly that we intended to pursue those who are openly exploiting and facilitating the distribution of illegal film and TV content and this was the first major target.
The theft and distribution of films harms the livelihoods of those working in the UK film industry and in ancillary industries, as well as damaging the economy.
In addition, those visiting sites hosting illegal content run the risk of downloading Trojans or viruses that can infect their computers.”
Roger Marles, Head of Trading Standards, said: "This practice allows people to view any one of a large number of films and television programmes directly via the website. This is illegal under UK copyright law. The 'users' are potentially evading licence fees, subscription fees to digital services or the cost of purchase or admittance to cinemas to view the films.
No physical product changes hands but the effect is the same - anyone has the opportunity to view an illegal copy of a copyrighted work. This is all done without the permission of the owners of the copyright or trade mark protection in the works being distributed.
As no control is exerted over who can visit the site and access the service, there is no regard for the age of the viewer and therefore no control of the content of what is viewed."
The operation was conducted with the assistance of BREIN, the Dutch anti-piracy body, who have served notice on the TV Links hosting provider, Leaseweb, to allow the website servers to be removed. Leaseweb is based in the Netherlands.
18th October 2007
FACT PARTNERS WITH CRIMESTOPPERS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REPORT FILM PIRACY
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the charity Crimestoppers are pleased to announce a partnership that makes Crimestoppers the anonymous primary reporting resource for film piracy in the UK. This allows members of the public to report easily and anonymously 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FACT had previously been using a lo-call number which has been successful in generating intelligence on those involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of pirate DVDs but the new partnership with Crimestoppers makes it easier and quicker to report such crimes.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “The association with Crimestoppers reinforces the message that film piracy is a serious and organised crime, generating nearly £200m a year for criminals and threatening the jobs of those working in the UK film industry at all levels, as well as those in the retail, rental and cinema sectors.
The increased threat from internet piracy is also of great concern as this is often the initial means of distributing the stolen films. We are also working with the cinema industry to reduce the risk of films being camcorded in UK cinemas.
FACT has increased its investigative resources in all areas in the past year and we are delighted to be able to link up with such a respected charity as Crimestoppers which will provide us with high quality intelligence on those seeking to profit from the theft of films in any format.”
Dave Cording, Crimestoppers’ Director of Operations, added: "Film piracy in the UK is a growing problem, with far reaching impacts on the wider community that the public may not be aware of. Piracy not only costs the film industry millions each year, but the serious organised nature of the crime is why Crimestoppers and FACT are working in partnership to bring to justice those responsible.
Money from sales of pirated materials can be connected to funding much more serious criminal activities, such as people smuggling and drug dealing, which is not obvious when buying a copied DVD in the street or in a local pub.
Anyone with information can help expose those behind film piracy and stop criminals funding other crimes, by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Your call cannot be traced and we will not ask your name."
In support of the new partnership, the Industry Trust for IP Awareness is launching a large-scale online awareness campaign to educate web users about the new way to report copyright theft. The campaign uses online advertising techniques to urge web users to keep an eye out for those selling illegal content, and signposts the new Crimestoppers service. This call for vigilance and action is reinforced by the advertising creatives. These create user engagement with a pair of animated eyes which can follow around the direction of a mouse pointer wherever it is positioned on the banners.
Paul Archer, Acting Director-General of the Industry Trust, said: “Copyright theft is no longer just about dodgy DVD dealers at car boot sales. The challenge is much wider than that and as an industry we need to adapt our tactics accordingly. With the internet now a major source of illegal content, it’s an important channel for the Crimestoppers message. Our online advertising campaign reminds web users that copyright theft in any guise is a crime and urges them to report it, whether they see it at their local car boot sale or in the pub, or spot illegal content being sold online.”
16th October 2007
VIDEO SHOP OWNER JAILED FOR FILM PIRACY OFFENCES
A husband and wife who owned a video store in Knowsley, Merseyside have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for offences relating to the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit DVDs, music CDs and video games, following a prosecution by FACT.
Ian Jameson, age 35, of Knowsley had pleaded guilty to 14 offences under Trade Marks and Copyright Design and Patents Acts and was sentenced to 14 x two years imprisonment to run concurrently.
His wife, Amanda Jameson, age 35, was sentenced to two x 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and 150 hours community punishment order, having pleaded guilty to two offences.
The offences took place between 2003 and 2005 and involved the pair copying DVDs and CDs in their home and selling the pirate material in their retail premises, Rockys Videos, Manchester Road in Knowsley.
16th October 2007
TWO ARRESTED IN ISLE OF WIGHT INTERNET PROBE
Two males aged 16 and 21 from Newport, IOW have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a website selling pirate films and music. The arrests were made on 11th October 2007 by Newport Safer Neighbourhoods Team from Hampshire Police working with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’).
The men have been bailed until 6th February 2008 for further enquiries.
5th September 2007
FILM INDUSTRY UNITES TO FIGHT FILM THEFT
The film and video industries today presented a coordinated and united front in the fight against film theft in the UK at an event in London attended by the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism.
All parts of the UK film and video sectors (distribution, exhibition, home entertainment, retail and rental) have come together for the first time to coordinate and step-up their efforts in combating the increasing threat from film theft in hard copy format and online. Through the work of industry organisations, extra resources are going to be focused on three key strands:
• Education to young people through schools and colleges – through the work of Film Education
• Outreach – both public awareness and cross-industry dialogues with ISPs and others through the efforts of the UK Film Council and the work of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness (‘IP Trust’)
• Ramping up enforcement activity through the work of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’)
The UK film and video industry is the most important market outside the US, employing over 40,000 people directly, with UK film production activity was worth £842m in 2006. However, the loss to the industry from film theft was £459m in the same year, with much of the counterfeit material being manufactured and sold by UK based criminals, including a substantial involvement from organised criminal networks.
Speaking at the event, held at BAFTA in London, Films Minister, Margaret Hodge, said: "Last year alone, thieves cost the UK film and TV industry almost £0.5 billion – that’s more than five times the cost of the last Harry Potter film or more than eight times Casino Royale’s takings at the UK box office.
"We urgently need to reduce the number of illegal downloads and make it much tougher for film thieves to operate. We can only do this through better enforcement and educating the public. I welcome this move by UK industry to unite against the scourge of film theft."
“The latest research shows that acceptance of counterfeit goods is becoming more widespread; and increasingly sophisticated information technology is bringing the ability to download into homes across the country,” said MPAA CEO, Dan Glickman. “This requires action now and we at the MPA are delighted that the industry here in the UK has come together to collaborate and step up efforts to implement a regional strategy that could help reduce the impact of film theft in the UK on our film industries. We support the industry’s plans to undertake projects which not only seek to enforce copyright laws but also to change opinions about copyright theft, what it means and how it impacts the industry, jobs, the economy and film industries in the UK and elsewhere”
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16th August 2007
LEWISHAM PIRATE DVD RAID UNCOVERS COUNTERFEIT MONEY AND FAKE DOCUMENTS
A joint operation between Lewisham Council, local police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) led to a successful raid on residential premises in Deptford on 8th August.
The address was under suspicion of being a distribution centre for counterfeit DVDs – the sale of which is a serious problem in South East London.
The operation resulted in more than 3,000 counterfeit DVDs being seized, as well as large quantities of plastic DVD cover sleeves, genuine and counterfeit money and fake National Insurance documents.
The raid also uncovered what are believed to be the first known counterfeit copies of 'The Bourne Ultimatum', which is only released this week in UK cinemas.
Along with the haul officers also seized pornographic DVDs and a quantity of illegally imported cigarettes.
John Pye, Principal Trading Standards Officer at Lewisham Council, said: “The operation is a great example of joint working by the Council, the police and investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft.
Counterfeiting is known to have links to organised crime and that extends beyond what officers found here today. Counterfeit goods, and increasingly counterfeit DVDs, are on the increase and we will continue to work with our partners to make sure that we keep our eyes and ears open to stamp out these illegal ‘businesses’ in Lewisham.
Lewisham Council remains committed to ensuring that fair-trading is carried out in Lewisham for the benefit of consumers and local trade and business. Consumers have a right to receive value for money and trade and business should not be subjected to unfair competition from those operating outside the law.”
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “The sale of counterfeit DVDs in South East London is part of a wider national problem. There are sophisticated organised criminal enterprises making substantial profits from their illegal operations and we are working with the police and councils across the UK to target them.
People should be aware that in purchasing a pirate DVD they are helping to fund criminal organisations and are also affecting the livelihoods of local retailers and their employees.”
25th July 2007
FILM AND MUSIC INDUSTRY FIRST AS MARKET OWNERS TAKE RAP FOR PIRACY
The UK's music and film industries today welcomed a key judgment handed down at St Albans Crown Court, which could prove hugely significant as the UK's creative industries step up their fight against copyright crime.
UK record labels' association the BPI and film anti-piracy body FACT say the case against Wendy Fair Markets Ltd is significant as all previous commercial piracy cases have been brought against either the sellers or distributors of the fakes, rather than the market owners themselves.
The landmark case, brought by Hertfordshire Trading Standards, drew closer to an end when the jury yesterday found the company, and directors Nicholas Hobday and Sally Ward, guilty of money laundering charges.
The charges were brought after the BPI and FACT, working with Hertfordshire Trading Standards claimed that both the defendants and company itself had benefited financially from the illegal sale of counterfeit DVDs, CDs, and computer software at Hemel Hempstead's Bovingdon Market.
Seven traders also face the possibility of custodial sentences; two of whom were found guilty of copyright offences yesterday after five others pleaded guilty earlier in the year.
But this is the first time a market operator has been convicted of accepting - in the form of pitch rents - money it knew, or suspected, had been earned through criminal means.
Both the company, Wendy Fair Markets Ltd - who operate 17 other UK markets, including music and film piracy hotspot Wembley Market - and the directors, could lose their assets as they are now vulnerable to a claim under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The verdict, delivered yesterday, follows a seven-week trial at St Albans Crown Court, and the BPI and FACT have vowed to use this judgment to urge other market owners to clean up their act.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said:
“This is a great result for a joint agency initiative and shows that the market organisers were clearly allowing criminal activity to take place on a weekly basis at Bovingdon Market.
"Evidence gathered by FACT, BPI and Hertfordshire Trading Standards left the court in no doubt about the level of criminality occurring. I would like to thank Hertfordshire Council for their determination in pursuing this case.”
BPI anti-piracy manager David Wood said:
"Most markets and car boot sales operate a strict no-fakes policy, but a significant number remain where the owners turn a blind eye to rampant counterfeiting and piracy, and whilst raking in the profits.
"It is plainly wrong that rogue market and car boot sale owners are able generate huge profits from criminal trade that takes place blatantly and openly under their noses. This ruling, we hope, will send a clear message to these market owners that they need to clean up their act or face prosecution."
The defendants will be sentenced in September 2007.
19th July 2007
Crackdown Nets 1,218 Fake DVDs in Whitechapel
A crackdown on illegal DVD sellers in Whitechapel netted 1,218 pirate DVDs including 311 obscene pornographic films.
Eight DVD sellers were arrested in the street raids on Thursday (12 July) and seven pleaded guilty to breaking the Trade Marks Act 1984 and the Video Recordings Act 1984.
Most of those charged appeared before Thames Magistrates on Friday (13 July) and have been sentenced and others are due to make court appearances in the near future.
This joint crackdown by Tower Hamlets Council the Metropolitan Police and Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) is part of a wider campaign to reveal the truth behind counterfeiting. To stop people who are tempted by the cut-price products a hard-hitting road show run by Tower Hamlets Partnership and Safer Neighbourhood Teams has been visiting community organisations and local schools in Spitafields, Banglatown and Bethnal Green to reveal the truth.
Police Inspector Paul Kinzett said: "This is the first joint operation coordinated as a result of the Whitechapel Problem Solving Group and shows the commitment that a wide range of agencies have in improving the area for people who use the market area. I am grateful to those who have contributed to the planning of this operation - initial feedback from market traders is that they were pleased to see the action taken by officers on Thursday."
Tower Hamlets Council’s Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener Councillor Abdal Ullah said: “People should be able to walk down Whitechapel High Street without being hassled by illegal DVD sellers and without worrying that their children are going to see DVD covers featuring pornography. Crackdowns like this are so important for the area and we must all play our part.
“Selling fake goods hits legitimate businesses hard and it floods the market with cheaper products making it hard for reputable businesses to compete. On a broader scale, film piracy is making vast profits for organised criminal networks in the UK and worldwide.”
The workshops have been prepared with support from the national organisation Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) to prepare a series of challenging discussions encouraging people to think about the reality of piracy.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: ”FACT is pleased to have been able to assist with this multi-agency operation. This action should send out a strong message that this type of criminality will not be tolerated in Tower Hamlets.”
23rd May 2007
Three jailed after North West counterfeiting conspiracy
- Ringleaders of music, film and games counterfeiting scam jailed after amassing tens of thousands through sale of fake CDs, DVDs, games and extensive benefit fraud
- First sentencing from Operation Zealot which resulted in 29 arrests in 2006
The UK's music, film, and games industries today welcomed the sentences handed down to the ringleaders of a North West counterfeiting operation.
The trial ended at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, all eight defendants having pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Ringleaders Barry Powell and Mark Quincey were imprisoned for 12 and 15 months respectively for their role in the six-month scam that also involved an extensive benefit fraud.
His Honour Judge Morrow QC also handed down a 9-month prison sentence to fellow ringleader Sarah Haynes, a mother of two.
In handing down the sentence, the judge said:
"I want to send a deterrence message to any people who may think counterfeiting is an easy way to make a lot of money"
UK record industry body the BPI brought a private prosecution, together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), after a joint investigation with film industry enforcement body FACT and games industry enforcement body ELSPA.
The court heard that the criminal operation operated as a well-organised illegal business and was run from the homes of the ringleaders. Supplying local markets and car boot fairs, it generated in excess of £40,000 in criminal proceeds during its 6-month operation.
The defendants had also claimed between £20,000 illegally in state benefits. The convicted may now lose all their assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
These defendants were arrested along with 21 others as part of a massive police operation codenamed "Zealot" in March 2006. These prosecutions are pending.
Involving 135 officers, and coordinated with the BPI, FACT, ELSPA and the DWP, Zealot was believed to be one of the biggest multi-agency anti-counterfeiting police operations in British history.
The Zealot raids ended a conspiracy that had involved the supply of counterfeit CDs and DVDs to markets beyond Liverpool and across the North West of England.
BPI investigators estimated that 70% of the fakes were sold at Liverpool's two worst piracy hotspots, Stanley Dock and Walton Market, with another 30% sold on to smaller units in the Liverpool area. The DWP had estimated that some of the counterfeit stalls in Liverpool had been turning over £4,000 a day.
BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said:
"Music fans should not be taken in. Buying illegally copied CDs from these stalls not only cheats artists and the record labels that invest in them, it also helps to fund other criminality.
"These defendants were caught as part of a wider investigation into music piracy and benefit fraud in the North West, and although their operation was well organised they were by no means the biggest players in the region. This result shows that the courts will not hesitate to hand down strong sentences to deter this area of crime.
"Excellent work by our enforcement units, the DWP and police has ensured that these individuals face a significant term in prison, consistent with the seriousness of their offences."
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said:
“This was an organised criminal network operating across a large area and generating sizeable profits from its illegal activities.
"There is often a strong association from the sale of stolen film product such as pirate DVDs with other criminality and we are grateful for the work done by the Department for Work and Pensions, Lancashire and Merseyside Police and our music and games industry colleagues in targeting and bringing to justice these individuals.”
Department for Work and Pension anti-fraud Minister James Plaskitt said:
"This is an excellent example of our success at tackling benefit fraud when we work closely with our partners. No ifs, No buts - all benefit theft is a crime and those found breaking the law face serious consequences.”
Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA, said: "ELSPA would like to thank everyone involved for their work and helping to protect local traders and the general community from the effects of pirated goods. Our investigators will continue to work closely with other trade bodies and enforcement agencies. The simple fact about piracy of video games, music and films is illegal and punishable by fines, Community Service and jail sentences. No matter which way you look at counterfeiting it is nothing more than theft. Counterfeiters are only out for one thing: money. And because of this consumers who buy counterfeit games have no recourse under law for faulty goods.”
8th May 2007
 
£2 MILLION PIRATE DVD SEIZURE IS LARGEST EVER IN UK
OVER 800,000 DISCS SEIZED AND FIVE ARRESTED
FACT investigators were involved in the largest ever single seizure of pirate DVDs in a raid on premises in High Street, Dudley, West Midlands last week where five people were arrested.
In an intelligence led joint operation with West Midlands Police, Sandwell Trading Standards, BPI and ELSPA, warrants were obtained to search four premises - two shops and two home addresses.
The pirate DVD operation was centred on a shop in Dudley High Street, where a concealed entrance opened into an upstairs floor where DVD burners and PCs were located and a counterfeit DVD ‘wholesale business’ was in operation. The premises were also guarded by extensive CCTV coverage.
Over 800,000 pirate DVDs with a street value of over £2 million were arranged by film type and in alphabetical order. Counterfeit music CDs and video games were also seized. It is believed this enterprise was supplying a large number of traders across the West Midlands with pirate DVDs, CDs and video games.
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “This is a substantial blow to a sophisticated and sizeable counterfeiting operation trading in illegal copies of films and TV shows and we are grateful for the assistance of the local police and trading standards.
The message for anyone thinking of buying a pirate DVD is ‘don’t put money into the hands of criminals’. You are also harming local businesses and traders.””
BPI anti-piracy manager David Wood added: "Music fans buying counterfeit CDs are not only ripping off local shops and the artists and record companies who invest in new music, but lining the pockets of organised criminals. Commercial music piracy costs the industry more than £165m in lost sales every year, it fuels other areas of crime, and we welcome the police's move to close down what was a hugely significant operation."
Mike Rawlinson, Managing Director of ELSPA, commented: “The replication of computer and video games software and any other multimedia product is illegal and has a negative impact on both local and national businesses. ELSPA would like to thank the efforts of FACT and Sandwell Trading Standards in their attempts to protect legitimate local traders and remove illegal products from the marketplace.”
19th April 2007
UK’S FIRST STREET POSTERS WARNING OF PENALTIES FOR FILM PIRACY
Hackney initiative follows high profile arrests and 10 year ASBOs
The Federation Against Copyright Theft today launched a major initiative aimed at reducing the sale of pirate DVDs in Hackney, East London.
The posters, carrying the Met Police, Hackney Council and FACT logos, support the ongoing enforcement activity by the Hackney Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Hackney Council’s Community Safety Team targeting fly pitchers and street sellers of counterfeit DVDs in Hackney Town Centre.
In February 2007 a multi-agency operation led to the arrest of seven persistent offenders and resulted in 10 year Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and five month suspended prison sentences.
Highlighting the people subject to the ASBOs and also warning of the penalties for selling pirate DVDs, the large posters are being displayed from today on lamp posts in the car park of Tesco and in some of the surrounding streets. There are also leaflets and smaller posters being distributed to local businesses.
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “The recent enforcement operations against the street sellers operating in Hackney were well publicised, especially in light of the 10 year ASBOs meted out.
However, enforcement needs to be combined with public awareness and this poster campaign should leave no one in any doubt of the penalties for selling counterfeit DVDs.
Whilst such activity may seem relatively harmless, these are individuals working for organised crime networks and those networks make substantial criminal profits from film piracy. ”
Inspector Richard Munns of Hackney’s Safer Neighbourhood Team said, “Criminality and anti-social behaviour in all its guises are not tolerated on the streets of Hackney. The tough sentences imposed by the courts and this new poster campaign will reassure Hackney’s law-abiding residents that the police and our partners are doing everything in their power to keep Hackney’s streets safe and free of criminality”
Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Hackney Council said: “It is important that our residents realise the connection between buying a counterfeit DVD and giving money to organised crime. It’s an illegal activity which is taken very seriously and carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The posters should be seen as a reminder of that.”
13th March 2007
EBAY COUNTERFEIT TRADER ARRESTED IN EAST LONDON
An eBay trader who was selling large quantities of pirate DVDs and making several thousand pounds per month has been arrested following extensive work by FACT’s Internet Investigations Team.
In a combined raid with the Metropolitan Police (Newham Borough) and Newham Council Trading Standards, a 22 year old man was arrested at an address in Trinity Gardens, Canning Town, London E16 and has been taken away for questioning.
PC equipment found on the premises has been seized, along with several hundred discs ready to be shipped to potential buyers. These included counterfeit copies of TV and film titles such as The Sopranos, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, The Little Mermaid and 24.
Also seized were quantities of counterfeit clothing, shoes, jewellery and iPods for sale online. All these items will be examined by Newham Trading Standards.
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “Whilst we are working more closely with sites such as eBay to enforce our members’ copyrights, there are still those who persist in listing counterfeit DVDs for criminal gain.
We will continue to actively pursue such illegal traders who are openly flouting the law.”
7th March 2007
EBAY PARTNERS WITH FACT TO CLAMP DOWN ON PIRATED DVD SALES
eBay.co.uk and The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have today launched a campaign to educate consumers on how to buy and sell DVDs safely on eBay.
eBay and FACT want to remind eBay sellers that listing pirated DVDs is illegal and ensure that buyers know they are bidding on legitimate products from reputable sellers.
The campaign includes a buying and selling guide which is now available on eBay.co.uk. The guide is written by FACT, the audio-visual industry’s trade organisation dedicated to fighting piracy. The guide warns eBay users of the dangers of – and penalties for – selling pirated DVDs, which include up to ten years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine, and provides buyers with specific advice on how to avoid buying a pirated DVD: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/dvd-fact-buying-guide/
FACT works closely with law enforcement agencies and eBay to combat the growth of piracy on the Internet. Working together, a joint FACT and eBay investigation ultimately led to the recent arrest of a seller from Bradford, who received a prison sentence and was hit with a £55,000 confiscation order. Cases such as this show how effective collaboration can be.
2nd March 2007
DEPTFORD PIRATE DVD FACTORY RAIDED
A joint operation between Lewisham Trading Standards, Met Police, FACT, IFPI and BPI has led to the successful raid of a residential premises in Deptford and the arrest of eight suspects.
The raid took place mid-morning on Thursday, 22 February 2007, following suspicions that counterfeit DVDs and music CDs were being manufactured and distributed from the premises. The operation resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of equipment and materials:
• 22 DVD burners used for multiple DVD and CD copying
• commercial colour printers connected to commercial printing ink reservoirs
• 7,000 completed discs in bags and stored ready for collection and supply
• 10,000 blank DVD and CD discs ready for burning
• 10,000 sleeves and many thousands of sheets of laser copier paper
A quantity of unclassified obscene bestiality titles were also removed together with 3,000 cigarettes that were not labelled with statutory health warnings.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “Enquiries are still continuing but there can be no doubt this is a significant seizure. Counterfeiting is known to have links to organised crime. Anyone thinking of purchasing counterfeit products should also be cautious. DVDs can be of poor quality and, by and large, the source is recorded from a cinema screen using a video camera.”
Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “Counterfeiting is detrimental to the profitability and viability of everyone involved in the film industry, including those small businesses selling and hiring out the genuine product.
FACT continues to work with local agencies to help deal with this problem that brings crime to local communities.
The public should note that this is a crime that is controlled at the top level by serious and organised crime.”
12th February 2007
TEN YEAR ASBOS AND FIVE MONTH SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES FOR PIRATE DVD SELLERS
- SENTENCING ALSO INCLUDED TWO YEAR PROHIBITION ORDER
- - JUDGE MENTIONS LINKS TO ORGANISED CRIME
Following the recent operation by Hackney Borough Police and Hackney Council, working with FACT, targeting prolific pirate DVD sellers in Hackney, six defendants appeared for sentencing on Friday (9th).
Judge Stephen Dawson, sitting at Thames Magistrates Court gave 5 month prison sentences, suspended for 2 years, along with 10 year ASBOs barring the defendants from entering Hackney Town Centre, banning them from the possession of two or more DVDs and banning them from any selling or offering to sell anything to members of the public. He also gave all six defendants Prohibition Orders lasting 2 years requiring them not to break any of the immigration conditions imposed by the Immigration Service.
Judge Dawson said to the six defendants: “You are being used by gangmasters in the criminal fraternity and were being sent [to the UK] to commit crime…You are people who are being used by criminal people but all of the same you are conducting your own lives here and choose to break the law. Prison is the only appropriate sentence.”
Speaking later he also added, “These are very serious matters. I feel that it is highly likely that you are being used by sophisticated gang criminals in order to fund criminal activity in general.”
All six are Chinese nationals and were identified by the Immigration Service as being in the UK illegally. They all pleaded guilty to offences of film piracy by breach of copyright.
Inspector Richard Munns of Hackney Borough Police, Homerton Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “By imposing ten-year Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and a suspended custodial sentence on these individuals, the judge has sent a very strong message out to the community to say that vendors of counterfeit goods aren’t welcome on the streets of Hackney and their presence will not be tolerated. This has been a fantastic collaborative effort by all our partners and I’d like to pay tribute to everyone involved.”
Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: "The activities of these pirate DVD sellers in Hackney have been a real nuisance for locals. People in Hackney have been telling me how fed up they are with being constantly pestered when they're out and about. Working with Hackney Police, Tesco and FACT, this result shows how seriously we have all taken this problem and how determined we are to stamp out this kind of criminal activity in Hackney."
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: “This is an outstanding result from a well planned and coordinated multi-agency operation. Nobody can now be in any doubt that the Courts can and will impose strong sentences for film piracy offences.
The organised criminal nature of this type of offence has also been recognised and the public can now be clear that by purchasing pirate DVDs from street sellers they are handing money over to organised crime gangs.”
The six are:
Jie HE, age 35, female
Quing CHEN, age 39, female
Qingzhu He, age 39, female
Wen HE, age 35, male
Xiao LINSHI, age 27, female
He CHIYEN, age 47, male
7th February 2007
ROCHDALE DVD FACTORY RAIDED
Police in Heywood, Greater Manchester have raided a pirate DVD factory and arrested a 42 year-old man.
The factory was located in a private house and contained 40 DVD burners, three computers, printers and over 6,000 counterfeit DVDs. In addition, £5,000 in cash was seized from the premises.
The operation was part of an intelligence based operation by Greater Manchester Police, assisted by Rochdale Trading Standards. The man arrested has been bailed to return in September.
The seized equipment and product has been taken by FACT to be examined at its Forensic facility. Due to the sophisticated nature of this operation, FACT will be taking over the prosecution of this case.
2nd February 2007
SEVEN PIRATE DVD SELLERS ARRESTED IN HACKNEY IN MULTI-AGENCY OPERATION TARGETING LOCAL CRIME
Two men and five women have been arrested in Hackney, East London by Police working in co-operation with FACT, Hackney Council and the Immigration Service.
The raid was part of an ongoing operation to target and disrupt pirate DVD selling in Hackney, and in particular in the car park of Tesco supermarket on Morning Lane, where up to 14 sellers have been observed operating on a daily basis.
Those arrested were all of Chinese origin and over a thousand counterfeit DVDs were seized.
Inspector Richard Munns of Hackney Borough Police, Homerton Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “Today’s successful raid has been a fantastic collaborative effort for Hackney Borough Police and our partners from FACT and the Council. Illegal vendors, with their links to organised crime, pose a very real menace to the local community, and I’m delighted that the intense planning which went into the raid has resulted in today’s arrests. We will be looking to the courts to place Anti Social Behaviour Orders on the perpetrators, in order to stamp out this activity in Hackney.”
Councillor Alan Laing, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods who raised the issue with the different agencies and who was present when the arrests were made said: "I am delighted that the police, FACT and our Trading Standards Officers acted to tackle this ongoing problem in the heart of Hackney. This has been a great example of a number of different agencies coming together to tackle a major source of complaints from the public. I would like to thank the police, Tesco and FACT for their hard work and for committing resources to making Hackney a safer place."
Kieron Sharp, Director General of the Federation Against Copyright Theft said: "Pirate DVD selling in Hackney has been a persistent problem for some time and we are delighted to be working with Police, Tesco and Hackney Council to stamp out this criminal activity.
The public should be aware that those selling these DVDs are not innocent pawns but are part of organised criminal gangs making millions of pounds a week and that in buying a pirate DVD they are contributing to crime in their local area as well as affecting local jobs in shops and cinemas.”
30th January 2007
DURHAM AND NOTTINGHAM RAIDS TARGET ILLEGAL MARKETS
 
FACT investigators, working with law enforcement, have successfully targeted pirate DVD sellers operating at illegal markets in Durham and Nottingham.
- A total of 16 suspects were arrested:
9 at Tanfield Lea, Durham and 7 at Hucknall, Nottingham.
Over 18,000 pirate DVDs seized
The raid in Durham was a joint intelligence led operation with Durham Constabulary targeting known sellers of counterfeit DVDs who set up stalls on the outskirts of the weekly Tanfield Lea car boot sale. Eight men and a woman were arrested and interviewed at local police stations and have been bailed to return in eight weeks. In addition, seven vehicles were removed from the site by police officers and were searched. The vehicles were later returned to their owners.
The raid in Nottingham was a joint intelligence led operation with Nottinghamshire Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police aimed at prolific sellers of pirate DVDs on an illegal market operating on the fringes of the Hucknall Sunday market. Follow-up searches at four houses led to the seizure of a large quantity of pirate music CDs and computer equipment as well as thousands of blank DVDs and printed inlay cards. Seven men were arrested and have been bailed to appear in March.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “Working with Police and Trading Standards across the UK we aim to disrupt and dismantle pirate DVD trading, whether that be in car boot sales, in markets or online. The manufacture and selling of counterfeit film product is illegal and contributes to crime in the local community. Film piracy also feeds hundreds of millions of pounds a year into organised crime networks and has associations with other serious criminal activity.”
Nichola Schofield, Team Leader for Special Projects at Nottinghamshire Trading Standards, added: “By sharing intelligence and adopting a multi-agency approach we are able to better target and apprehend those involved in such criminal activity across the county.”
4th January 2007
MAJOR PIRATE FACTORY IN SOUTH-EAST LONDON RAIDED
Four men have been arrested in Thamesmead, south east London, following the discovery of a ‘factory’ making counterfeit DVDs worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
It happened around 12.30 pm, Wednesday 3rd January. Two Bexley Police officers were walking down Redbourne Road, Thamesmead, when they saw two men coming out of one of the houses.
Believing there was something suspicious about their behaviour, the officers spoke to the men and noticed another man open the front door and then close it again quickly.
The officers called for back up; also police dogs and police helicopter attended to help search the area as other men were seen leaving the house through the back garden. The men are being questioned at a south London police station.
Inside the house, a town style house on three floors, officers found an estimated number of 30,000 discs, which would sell for three to five pounds on the street. The contents of the discs include recently released films still on general release and pornographic material.
There was also equipment capable of burning over 1000 DVDs in one hour and an assortment of other equipment for copying and packaging DVDs.
DS Nigel Tolson of Bexley CID said: “There is no doubt that this ordinary three bedroomed house in a quiet street was being run as an illegal operation. Thanks to the sharp eyes and alertness of three police constables, this operation has been uncovered and closed down.”
Kieron Sharp, Director General of the Federation Against Copyright Theft said: "This was a major factory and its discovery will cause some serious disruption to piracy in the London area. Film piracy has proven links to organised crime and the scale of this operation shows the level of investment by criminal networks in this type of crime."
20th December 2006
ARRESTS AND MAJOR SEIZURES IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND AND NORTH-WEST ENGLAND
NORTH-WEST ENGLAND
FACT’s regional investigator, working with local Police and Trading Standards, has helped seize over 90,000 pirate DVDs from markets in the North-West.
Over the past 3 weeks, teams have targeted some of the area’s blackspots for sale of pirate material, including DVDs, CDs and computer games, and have followed up with further seizures at some home addresses.
Markets and seizure totals as follows:
Lever Street, Bolton, Lancs: 12,000 DVDs and 13 related arrests; further raid led to another 9,000
Salford Market, Greater Manchester: 1,000
Greymare Lane, Manchester: 9,000 on one raid; 3,000 on a further raid
Cocksparrow Lane, Staffordshire: 23,000
Great Homer Street, Liverpool: 7,000
Stanley Docks, Liverpool: 18,000
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “This shows the benefit of good cooperation between agencies targeting criminals seeking to profit from selling pirate DVDs. These criminals operate not just in the run up to Christmas but all year round. By combining the seizure of pirate material and the use of intelligence based investigation we can disrupt the supply to the public and bring to justice those making sizeable criminal profits from their illegal activities.
The sale of pirate goods on these markets also brings harm to the local communities and attracts other criminality and we ask the public to report anyone selling pirate DVDs via our website: www.fact-uk.org.uk or by ‘phoning 0845 60 34567.”
NORTHERN IRELAND:
Four people arrested following a major search operation at houses and a market at Sackville Street in Londonderry earlier today have been charged with a total of 19 charges under both the Copyright Act and Tradesmarks Act. All four, two women aged 24 and 33 years and two men aged 24 and 55 years are expected to appear at Londonderry MC at 10am on Thursday 11 January 2007.
In a further search in the Hazelbank area of the city what has been described as an extensive counterfeiting plant was discovered by police. Among the items seized were around 800 DVDs, 200 CDs and a significant quantity of computer equipment. A man and a woman were arrested and subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.
It is believed that the total value of items seized during the operation was over £33,000 including a sum of cash.
SCOTLAND:
SEIZURE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH IN EXCESS OF THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS - PADDY’S MARKET, GLASGOW
Strathclyde Police Officers, working in conjunction with officers from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and BPI have seized counterfeit goods with an estimated value in excess of three hundred thousand pounds.
DVDs, CDs and copying equipment were recovered in the operation at Paddy’s Market in Glasgow on Tuesday 19 December 2006.
DVDs include recent film titles such as Borat The Movie, The Holiday, Happy Feet and Déjà Vu.
Among the CDs recovered were Now Dance 2007, U2-18 Singles and The Beatles Love.
Two men, aged 21and 24 years, and one woman, aged 29 years, will be reported to the procurator fiscal following the seizure.
Superintendent Stewart Miller, based at City Centre Police Office, said:
“The raid at Paddy’s Market was intelligence led and is part of an ongoing joint operation.
“Strathclyde Police is committed to working in partnership with other agencies to deliver maximum impact on the illegal market of counterfeit goods.”
John McGowan, FACT Senior Investigator, added:
“These types of crime are not victimless, and I can reassure traders and their customers that FACT in partnership with Strathclyde Police is committed to targeting criminals who profit from this fraudulent activity.”
15th December 2006
£60,000 CONFISCATION ORDER AGAINST FILM PIRATE
Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) Financial Investigators, working in partnership with Essex County Council Trading Standards, Cambridge County Council Trading Standards, Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and have secured a Confiscation Order worth £60,681 against Peter William Axford of Kilmartin Road, Ilford, Essex, who is a convicted counterfeiter.
Investigations into Mr. Axford’s activities began in November 2002 when Essex Trading Standards received complaints from members of the public in relation to the sale of counterfeit DVDs at car boot sales in the county. A joint investigation was launched with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Inquiries identified Mr. Axford as being involved in the illegal copying, distribution and sale of counterfeit DVDs in the Essex area.
On 10th July 2006 at Blackfriars Crown Court, Mr. Axford pleaded guilty to making for sale infringing copyright works, producing infringing copyright works, copying infringing copyright works, offering for sale infringing copyright works, and offering for sale counterfeit goods which bore a registered trademark. He was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.
At Blackfriars Crown Court yesterday, HHJ Marron certified that the benefit derived from Mr. Axford’s activity amounted to £122,066.20, and ruled that the recoverable amount is £60,681. Mr. Axford has 18 months to pay this amount back to the Agency, or face 18 months’ imprisonment in default
Jane Earl, Director of the Assets Recovery Agency, said: “By using a joined-up approach, we can take the cash out of counterfeiting. The Assets Recovery Agency works with a range of agencies and organisations to make sure crime doesn’t pay- this case is no exception. I look forward to even more success through cooperation in the future.”
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: “I am pleased that this multi-agency operation has resulted in a conviction and a confiscation order. The primary motivation for those involved in film piracy is the criminal profits and, by hitting them with prison and a financial penalty, we can send the message that this kind of activity carries a higher risk than previously.
I would like to thank the ARA, Essex County Council Trading Standards, Cambridge County Council Trading Standards and the BPI for their assistance in this case.”
11th December 2006
SIX JAILED FOR INTERNET FILM PIRACY CONSPIRACY IN FIRST CASE OF ITS KIND IN THE UK
A major internet piracy conspiracy has been broken up and six men sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from four years to six months on Friday (8th December) at Birmingham Crown Court for offences relating to the manufacture, distribution and sale of pirate DVDs.
The PIR8 web forum facilitated the selling of pirate material to over 13,000 users. The conspirators were involved in the running of and/or the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit films sold via the website and via other outlets.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) prosecuted the case which followed a three year investigation and prosecution by FACT into the group. Assistance in the investigation was given by the BPI (the record industry trade body) Anti-Piracy Unit.
The following, aged 21 to 37 years old, (with PIR8 usernames) all pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud:
Lee Richard Bennett (‘Mack’), from South Normington, Derbyshire, and the owner of the PIR8 site was sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Barry Jarvis (‘Leafy’), from Johnstown, Wrexham, the website administrator, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.
Kevin Bowles (‘Taz’), from Doncaster, but living in Darlington at the time of the offences received a one year jail sentence.
Robert Chester (‘Killalot’), from Eastbourne, Sussex, also a received one year jail sentence.
Jason Morgan (‘Monkfish’),from Lanchester, Co. Durham and Christopher Pomroy (‘Trinity’), from Stretford, Greater Manchester were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
Karl Smith (‘Toon’), from Peterlee, Co. Durham and Marcus Jones, from Brynteg, Anglesey,were sentenced to 240 hours Community Punishment Orders.
Adrian Hodgson (‘Eda), from Kingston Upon Hull, was sentenced to 200 hours Community Punishment Order.
Also sentenced was Paul Bowes, from Co. Durham, who was not part of the conspiracy but pleaded guilty to manufacturing pirate DVDs. He was sentenced to 150 hours’ Community Punishment Order.
The judge’s comments made it clear that this was a groundbreaking case. He noted that this was the first case of its kind to come before the UK criminal courts and that his sentencing included a strong deterrent element.
click here for press release in Media Centre
6th December 2006
FACT WELCOMES TIGHTENING OF LAWS ON FILM PIRACY
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) is pleased with the announcement by The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, in his Pre Budget Report, following the recommendations of Andrew Gowers, that stronger enforcement is needed to tackle the problem of film piracy.
We welcome the statement that there will be tighter penalties for illegal copying and piracy and the recognition of intellectual (‘IP’) crime in the National Community Safety Plan, as well as the additional funding for enforcement by Trading Standards. It is also pleasing to see that there is a recommendation in the Gowers Report for the regulation of so-called ‘occasional sales’ such as markets and car boot sales.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General commented: “Film piracy has been seen by some as a ‘soft’ crime yet it brings harm and other serious criminal activity to local communities. It also has proven involvement with organised crime in the UK and internationally.
FACT has strengthened its resource and capability over the past year and is now the pre eminent anti-piracy organisation in the UK.
Criminals made over £270 million from film piracy in 2005, making this the worst affected single sector for intellectual property crime out of all IP industries. This is revenue that has been lost to the local and national economy and is affecting British jobs.”
FACT works with Police and Trading Standards across the UK to ensure that those involved in film piracy are punished for their actions and we are starting to see some stronger sentencing meted out by the Courts. 4th December 2006
EBAY FILM PIRATE HAS RECORD £55,000 ASSETS SEIZURE
- LORD OF THE RINGS WAS TOP SELLING ITEM -
A prolific seller of pirate DVDs on eBay has been ordered to pay £55,000 under Proceeds Of Crime legislation following a judgement on Friday (1st December) at Bradford Crown Court.
Peter Spencer, who has already served a jail sentence for his piracy activities, had also been the subject of an investigation by the Assets Recovery Agency. This sum is the highest asset seizure to date for a FACT prosecuted film piracy case. The £55,000 was adjudged to be the criminal profit made by Spencer from his pirate DVD sales.
He must now pay the £55,000 to the Exchequer within 12 months or face a two year custodial sentence - with the money still owing and payable to the Exchequer.
FACT brought its own prosecution against Spencer, age 39, from Oakhall Park, Bradford after monitoring his trade in counterfeit DVDs on eBay since 2002. Spencer was sentenced to a six month jail term in May 2006 at Bradford Crown Court.
In just one day in January 2004 Spencer had over 950 pirate DVDs listed for sale on eBay and FACT’s Internet Investigations Team was able to show that just one title alone, Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King, made him over £14,000.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General said:
“This is another important milestone and it demonstrates the effectiveness of the Proceeds Of Crime Act. The use of this legislation to target the criminal profits gained from film piracy in addition to the custodial sentences handed down by the Courts is a powerful weapon as this hits criminals hardest – taking away their liberty and their money.
I would like to thank the Assets Recovery Agency and West Yorkshire Police for their diligence and assistance in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.
I hope this result also sends a strong message to those using auction sites such as eBay that they are not immune from prosecution and further action should they trade in counterfeit goods.”
14th November 2006
CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER RECEIVES 15 MONTH JAIL SENTENCE FOR FILM PIRACY OFFENCES
Gary Fenn, age 35, from Ilford, Essex was sentenced yesterday to 15 months imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court for Conspiracy to Defraud the film industry and another 15 months for Conspiracy to Defraud the music industry – both sentences to run concurrently.
Fenn is currently serving a five year jail term for making indecent images of children and yesterday’s sentence is to run consecutively. The Judge recommended that seven and a half months be served in prison and the remainder on licence.
Also sentenced yesterday at Snaresbrook was Fenn’s co-defendant Paul Tooley, age 31, from Chadwell St Mary, Essex, who received a jail term of 10 months for Conspiracy to Defraud the film industry and 10 months for Conspiracy to Defraud the music industry (both sentences to run concurrently). The Judge also made a recommendation that he serve five months in prison and five months on licence. Both defendants pleaded guilty to these Conspiracy charges. Whilst Tooley is a co-conspirator in this case, he was not involved in the making of indecent images of children.
The case was prosecuted by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the organisation was awarded full costs by the Court. In addition, all property seized, including computers and equipment, was ordered for destruction.
Both Fenn and Tooley were manufacturing pirate DVDs and CDs and selling them on local markets and via advertisements and were arrested in May 2004.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General commented: “I am pleased that another FACT prosecution has been so successful. Both defendants were involved in a film and music piracy operation that was making them thousands of pounds and was deliberately intended to defraud legitimate FACT member companies.
This is also another example of the other very serious criminality with which film piracy can be associated. FACT is increasingly able to evidence this associated criminality and bring it to the public’s attention. ”
7TH November 2006
FOUR YEAR SENTENCE FOR DVD PIRATE
- ONE OF STRONGEST SENTENCES YET IN UK-
In one of the strongest ever sentences for film piracy in the UK, Zhong Li, age 35, and a Chinese national, was sentenced to four years imprisonment last week at Southwark Crown Court. He was recommended for deportation at the end of his sentence.
Li, who had no previous convictions, was found guilty of the following, all sentences to run concurrently:
1. Section 10 (1) and (3) of the video recordings act 1984 - 12 months
2. Section 107 (1) (C) of the copyright, designs and patents act 1988 - four years
3. Section 92 (2)(B) and (6) of the Trade Marks Act - 12 months
4. Section 2 obscene publications act - four years.
Li was arrested by officers from Southwark Borough of the Metropolitan Police at an address in Asylum Road, London SE15 in June 2006 following information that the premises were being used as a DVD factory.
Approximately 30,000 pirate DVDs and their covers were seized, with approximately 40% of this being hardcore pornographic material, as well as £2000 in cash. Ledgers relating to the sale of the DVDs were also seized.
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, commented: “This result is a significant one as it shows that the Courts are prepared to punish more severely those who aim to profit from film piracy. The strong custodial sentence sends a very strong reminder to film pirates at every level that this is a serious crime type being dealt with increasingly harshly.”
7th November 2006
THREE ARRESTED IN SOUTH BELFAST RAID
Police in South Belfast have seized a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit goods.
The seizure followed a planned search of premises in King Street today by local uniformed officers and officers from the Intellectual Property Crime Unit supported by a representative from FACT - the Federation Against Copyright Theft
Three men have been arrested.
The haul included fireworks, DVDs, a wide range of clothing and footwear.
Inspector Robert Murdie from South Belfast has said that this operation sends out a clear message that police will be pursuing anyone suspected of being involved in selling counterfeit goods.
"Many counterfeit goods are of poor quality which do not perform or last as long as is expected and coming up to Christmas - that is only going to bring disappointment. People should also bear in mind - there is no chance of a refund.
"The sale of counterfeit goods not only damages the business of the legitimate manufacturer of the goods - it damages local legitimate businesses selling the products."
17th October 2006
NINE ARRESTED IN NORTHERN IRELAND MARKET RAID
Nine people were arrested after police smashed a counterfeiting racket at a street market in Greysteel, Co Derry, on Sunday morning.
Fake DVDs, CDs, cigarettes and cash with an estimated value of £100,000 were all seized during planned searches by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (‘PSNI’), assisted by FACT, BPI and other anti-piracy bodies. A number of vehicles were also taken in the raid, carried out by police from Limavady and organised crime unit officers.
Jim Angell, FACT Director of Operations added: “This is another successful example of good cooperation between PSNI and FACT in targeting film pirates operating in Northern Ireland. I would like to thank PSNI for their continued efforts in dealing with piracy and other associated criminality.”
16th October 2006
MULTI AGENCY SWOOP ON COUNTERFEIT FRAUDSTERS
Ten people were arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning following raids at addresses across North Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral. The arrests followed an operation to uncover rip-off merchants who claim benefits whilst making a living selling pirate DVDs to bargain hunters on Greenfield Market in Flintshire.
A multi-agency taskforce led by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) investigated allegations of benefit fraud and other illegal activity in a joint operation codenamed ‘Buzzard’.
DWP Shadow Economy Teams from Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales, combined forces with Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and three police forces, resulting in thousands of counterfeit DVDs, CDs and computer games being seized with a monetary value of over £600,000. The investigators also worked closely with organisations from the music, game and film industry including FACT investigators and FACT logistical assistance.
Following the intelligence-led initiative, the ten were arrested under suspicion of being involved in the production and sale of counterfeit optical discs, and some of those arrested were also in receipt of benefits. Cash, drugs and cigarettes were also seized during the raids. Those arrested were taken to police stations in North Wales and Cheshire and are helping with further enquiries.
12th October 2006
FILM MINISTER LAUNCHES UK FILM INDUSTRY FILM THEFT PREVENTION TOOLKIT
Photo: Shaun Woodward (L) with Brian Robertson
Film Minister Shaun Woodward today launched a major initiative in the fight against film theft at an event hosted by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the Film Distributors’ Association (‘FDA’) in London.
The initiative (‘the | 
