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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.
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.
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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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