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Copyright protection laws vary from country to country, however the common purpose of these anti-copyright theft laws is to protect valuable ideas and content-creating industries.
That effort benefits all people in the filmmaking business globally.
In 2006 in Australia, according to an Allens Consulting report, Australia's copyright industries were the third highest contributors to GDP in the world after those in the U.S. and the U.K: they contributed 4.8% of GDP. The report also estimated the copyright sector employed 5.8% of the Australian workforce.
AFACT investigators work closely with law enforcement authorities to ensure that copyright is protected in Australia. AFACT also works with the Motion Picture Association and other industry anti-piracy associations - for example, in the music, computer software and computer games industries - in the effort to stamp out copyright theft across the world.
In 2005 the number of copyright and film piracy crime convictions in Australia roughly doubled. And there is increasing evidence of links between intellectual property theft and organized crime.
Over 90% of police raids on movie thieves in Australia find pornography, including X-rated titles and films that have been refused classification, alongside mainstream films.
In Australia, internet-based peer-to-peer networks are the preferred source for master copies from which pirates manufacture and distribute illegal burned copies of film and television programs. Police, acting on information from AFACT, crimestoppers and members of the public, are continually identifying and raiding DVD-R labs across Australia, where more than 80% of bootleg discs seized by police in 2005 were burned locally.
Rewards are available for information leading to the discovery and shut-down of DVD-R manufacturing labs and laying of criminal charges.
Cinema staff are becoming increasingly vigilant in looking out for people copying films in cinemas with camcorders. These offenders risk significant penalties, including equipment seizures and the laying of criminal charges by the police.
In December 2006, the Commonwealth Government passed significant reforms to the Copyright Act that provide new enforcement measures to combat copyright piracy. They include on-the-spot fines, clearer definitions of copyright theft for purposes of litigation and the confiscation of proceeds of crime earned by movie thieves.
To report piracy, call 1800 251 996 or go to http://www.moviepiracy.org.au
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Unauthorized copies of film and television programs on DVD or other media are stolen goods.
Under the Copyright Act, if you have bought or have in your possession unauthorized copies of film and television programs for sale or hire, you are breaking the law and are liable to criminal prosecution. You could face up to five years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $60,500. All bootleg copies and the equipment used to make them are subject to confiscation by police and forfeit.
For more information, see What's legal and what isn't it?
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