| Quotes
and Comments
A selection of public comments on film piracy and FACT activity:
December 2008
Minister for Intellectual Property, David Lammy
“It's illegal, it's criminal, it's nasty and it's horrible, and it's right that we crack down on it.”
July 2008
His Honour Judge Knopf, Bolton Crown Court
‘why are these matters so serious?’ In answering that question he said that this activity ‘inflicts commercial damage on those who own the copyright and who are deprived of the profits they are entitled to, they are deprived of the profits of their labours’. The Judge proffered the opinion that it was for this reason that Parliament regards this offending as serious.
February 2007
His Honour Judge Dawson, Thames Magistrate Court
Sentencing seven individuals (all illegal immigrants from China) who were involved in selling counterfeit DVDs:
"[You were] being used by gangmasters in the criminal fraternity and were being sent here to commit crime..."
"You are people who are used by criminal people. All of the same, you are conducting your own lives here and choose to break the law. Prison is the only appropriate sentence.."
"These are very serious matters and I feel that it is highly likely that you are being used by sophisticated gang criminals in order to fund criminal activity in general."
December 2006
Jane Earl, Director of the Assets Recovery Agency:
"People who sell counterfeit DVDs, whether it is from the boot of a car or on an internet auction site, are breaking the law. The Assets Recovery Agency will work with organisations such as FACT to target those who make money from these sorts of criminal enterprises. Bootleggers cannot hide online."
October 2006
Sgt Neil Kimber, Kent Police
"The illegal sales of counterfeit goods have financial implications for those who are trying to
make an honest living. People engaged in these counterfeiting offences quite often do not realise that all
the offences carry a sentence of 10 years imprisonment.’
Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee
“The Council took the threat of Daisley’s activities so seriously that he was the first person in Scotland to be issued with an Enforcement Order for counterfeiting under new powers for Trading Standards contained in the Enterprise Act 2002. This meant that he was effectively banned from being involved in future in counterfeiting anywhere in the UK. To do so would mean a contempt of Court that can carry severe penalties.”
August 2006
Cllr Alan Laing, Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“Counterfeiting of goods is often seen as a victimless crime, but the reality is far from this. Customers who buy counterfeits are often sold inferior quality goods without the opportunity of a refund - their consumer rights are denied. Counterfeiting also 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.”
May 2006
Miss Recorder Proops, Bradford Crown Court, sentencing Peter Spencer:
“I accept that your personal circumstances are very substantial mitigation. However, offences of this kind are viewed extremely seriously. This was not at the lowest end of this type of case. It was a substantial operation operating over a long period of time. This case crossed the custody threshold and whilst I take into account what has been said on your behalf, custody is inevitable.There is an element of deterrent in the sentence.”
|
