FACT Commendations

The Federation Against Copyright Theft seeks to acknowledge and recognise individuals or organisations which display exemplary levels of commitment in tackling film piracy.

Some recent recipients of the Certificate of Commendation and a donation of £500 to a charity of their choice are:

2006
E Division, Strathclyde Police
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2005
UK Patent Office
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Perth & Kinross Trading Standards & Keith Payne (Manager, Kinross Market)
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For further information on FACT Commendations please contact our Head of Communications on 020 8568 6646.

E Division, Strathclyde Police
In 2005 FACT approached the Police in E Division and voiced concerns over the Barras Market and that due to turf wars over the sale of pirate DVDs, several serious violent incidents were taking place between traders while the market was actually in operation. Chief Superintendent Kenny Scott examined our evidence and agreed with our conclusion. The first operation was mounted in August 2005, resulting in 5 arrests and large seizures of pirate film and music material. The Police then sited a Mobile Office on the location but some of the illegal traders changed their tactics by exploiting children to operate as couriers and to work at the points of sale. Chief Superintendent Scott set up a small dedicated unit who not only delivered the targeted operations but ensured quality of reports for prosecution and liased with prosecutors to service their demands.

All the major pirates from this market now have serious cases pending against them. Chief Supertintendent Scott and his team are still applying the resources required to the market to ensure that such a situation never develops again. They have shown considerable resourcefulness and determination which is finally killing a culture of criminality which had been a feature of this market for years. The industry award was presented to E Division, Strathclyde Police, by Raymond Leinster at a private ceremony on Friday 24 February and it was accepted on behalf of the Division by Chief Supertintendent Scott accompanied by Detective Inspector Neil Robertson and Constable David Hillhouse who ran the operational phase of the initiative.

UK Patent Office
In November 2005 the UK Patent Office was awarded FACT's Certificate of Commendation.

Raymond Leinster of FACT said:

"I welcome the opportunity on behalf of FACT and its members to formally acknowledge the exceptional work of The Patent Office's Enforcement Team in advancing recognition of intellectual property crime as a crime type of national significance."

"We are pleased to acknowledge the exceptional personal qualities and leadership skills demonstrated by the Enforcement Team and their collective dedication to the challenge of delivering change to the investigation of intellectually property crime. The awarding of a Certificate of Commendation serves as a testament to the esteem which the Enforcement Team is held in by FACT, and is tangible recognition of the value placed on their work."

Phil Lewis who heads up the UK Patent Office Enforcement Team added:

"We are delighted to be receiving this award from FACT. Intellectual property crime is a serious issue for everyone in the UK as it is not the victimless crime that people assume it to be. Criminals involved in these activities are often using the proceeds for other forms of crime."

The award follows the launch of the Government's Intellectual Property Crime Strategy headed up by the Patent Office. The strategy is a multi-agency approach and intelligence led which combats counterfeiting and piracy more effectively.

The Patent Office donated its £500 award to the Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations Foundation charity.

Perth & Kinross Trading Standards & Keith Payne (Manager, Kinross Market)
A donation of £500 was made to Childrens’ Hospice Association of Scotland