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25th July 2006

MULTI AGENCY OPERATION TARGETS PROLIFIC DVD SELLERS IN LEYTON

11 pirate DVD sellers were arrested on Saturday 22nd July 2006 in a joint operation by FACT, Metropolitan Police, Waltham Forest Trading Standards and the Immigration Service in a major swoop on Leyton Mills Retail Park in North East London. 

Leyton Mills has had a significant problem with Chinese pirate DVD sellers who harass customers and affect the trade of genuine retailers on the site. A large number of complaints to FACT from members of the public led to the operation, which was instigated by FACT and involved a team of over 20 people comprising FACT investigators and Police, Immigration and Trading Standards officers.

Seven Chinese nationals, five males and two females, were charged with offences under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act as well as the charge of 'Going Equipped To Cheat' and appeared in court on Monday, receiving fines and/ or conditional discharges, with one person being remanded in custody for seven days pending a further court appearance.

In a groundbreaking move by Waltham Forest Council all seven of those charged also had injunctions taken out against them in the County Court. The injunctions ban them from returning to Leyton Mills and carry the threat of arrest should the conditions of the injunctions be broken.

In addition to the arrests, over 850 pirate DVDs were seized, including recent or unreleased titles such as 'Superman Returns', 'The Devil Wears Prada' and 'Cars'.

Raymond Leinster, FACT Director General, said "Leyton Mills has been one of the most serious problem locations for pirate DVD selling which was taking place in broad daylight in a busy retail park. Working together with Leyton Police and Waltham Forest Trading Standards we have been able to show the public once again that we are prepared to act in response to their complaints and those of local retailers. This follows recent successes where we have been able to close down pirate DVD factories making millions of pounds for organised criminal networks."

Chief Inspector, Ian Larnder, Head of Waltham Forest Partnership Unit, said: "These arrests and subsequent charges continue to demonstrate the effective working relationship between several organisations. Selling counterfeit DVDs may not appear to be a priority crime but it is essential to grasp the associated crime that can be generated, such as anti-social behaviour, robbery, violence and further avenues of organised crime.Working together with FACT, police have assisted in reducing crime in Waltham Forest, we will continue this hard work to target illegal sellers and put them out of business."

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3rd July 2006

FACT TACKLES CAMCORDING WITH NEW INVESTIGATOR FOR CINEMAS

The Federation Against Copyright Theft ('FACT') is addressing the increasing threat from camcording in UK cinemas by creating a new role of Theatrical Investigator. Reporting to Jim Angell, Director of Operations, the investigator will be tasked specifically with liaising with the UK cinema industry to help educate, prevent and protect against copyright theft from camcording and other forms of digital recording.

The post is being funded by the Film Distributors' Association ('FDA'), representing the UK film distribution companies, in recognition of a need to assist the legitimate management and fair protection of film copyright in the theatrical arena, where it is first exposed to audiences and where its black market value is at its greatest.

As increasing number of major movies are released simultaneously worldwide, the greater the threat from criminals seeking to profit from illegally recording in UK cinemas. The highest risk is in the first few days after a film's release.

The investigator is a former police officer with ten years service and then a further 5 years experience working within a major media company in an investigative capacity. His UK-wide role encompasses awareness training for cinema staff, investigation of incidents and liaison with police.

Raymond Leinster, Director General of FACT said: "We are grateful for the support of the FDA in the creation of the post of Cinema Investigator. The investigator will provide the cinema exhibition sector with a valuable resource to enable them to be well informed and better able to prevent abuses of copyright. With evidence illustrating an increased vulnerability to camcording in UK cinemas we are aware of the need to be proactive and to ensure that we are assisting the industry to take preventative measures. Equally this new appointment will provide a dedicated investigative resource to tackle the emerging threat posed by camcording."

Mark Batey, FDA Chief Executive added: "The UK cinema market is the third most valuable in the world with more than three million customers every week. It's a great success story and we want audiences to continue enjoying films at their best. Film copyright has long been looted by opportunists and criminal networks as a source of cash. But today's digital advances have a flip side that means films have never been more vulnerable to rip-off copying - especially the English language versions released in the UK. FDA is delighted to be sponsoring a dedicated investigator for the cinema industry. We believe the appointment is very timely and look forward to working with the investigator over the years ahead."

John Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association commented: "The excellent picture quality with sound to match makes the first showing of a film in UK cinemas a target for film thieves. The appointment of a dedicated cinema investigator will help cinema employees identify those few who wish to spoil the enjoyment of the vast majority visiting a cinema. Watching a film with other people in the environment in which it was intended to be viewed by the film maker is the best way to enjoy and appreciate it and nothing should be allowed to interrupt this."

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