Legal advice: DVD piracy
According to recent research, more than one in five pirate DVDs are currently sold in pubs and cafés. In fact, 26 per cent of people who buy pirate DVDs do so in pubs and bars.
As a result, licensees are being warned that they could face prosecution if found to be actively assisting copyright offences on their premises, in addition to being at risk from a possible backlash from customers who are being harassed by the DVD pirates.
The Industry Trust for IP Awareness has launched a campaign urging both licensees and consumers to stop the trade of pirate DVDs. Around 36,000 licensees are to be sent direct mail pointing out they could help crack down on people buying and selling copied DVDs within their premises. And pub-goers will be targeted with posters in pub toilets and a mobile phone text campaign.
Lavna Carey, director general of the British Video Association, said: "While it might be tempting to buy one, people need to stop and think where their money from DVD pirates is really going. This campaign aims to support licensees to ensure this crime doesn't take place on their premises, while highlighting to the public that what seems like a bargain is probably a poor-quality copy, and your money may well be going directly into the pockets of criminals."
It is often wrongly assumed that the pirate DVDs industry is "victimless crime". But it not only hurts the creative industry but it is estimated that within the UK criminals earn approximately £600m from the trade. DVD pirates are often involved in other forms of criminality, including possessing offensive weapons, drugs, pornography, benefit fraud and people smuggling.
The penalties for offences in relation to copyright theft may prove to be the real deterrent with fines up to £5,000 and/or six months' imprisonment in the magistrates' court for selling pirate DVDs and an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years' imprisonment in the Crown Court for distributing pirate DVDs .
- Further information on DVD piracy is available at www.piracyisacrime.com, DVD piracy can reported on 0845 603567.
