“WOLVERINE” & MUSIC PIRATE NABBED OUTSIDE PUB
25 April, 2009
download as PDFPolice also seize pirate burner lab able to produce 378,000 pirated DVDs a year
SYDNEY – On 24 April, New South Wales Police, assisted by investigators from the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) and Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI), stopped a 38-year-old woman outside a pub in Wetherill Park, Sydney following information from a member of the public that she was selling pirated movies and music in numerous pubs across Sydney’s western suburbs.
Police and industry investigators located the 38-year-old woman’s stash in a nearby vehicle where more than 600 suspected pirated movie and music discs were concealed. Amongst the discs seized were infringing copies of the new Hugh Jackman movie “XMen Origins: Wolverine”, which has not yet been released in cinemas in Australia or anywhere around the world, and popular children’s music titles including “The Wiggles” and “Hi-5”.
The arrest of the woman and discovery of the illegal stash led police to an illegal burner lab. Shortly afterwards, police raided a residence in Sydney’s Westmead, and seized a disc burner lab consisting of 15 disc burners, computer equipment and another 500 pirated discs. The burner lab had the potential of producing 378,000 pirated discs a year worth a street value of over $1.8 million.
Yesterday’s raids were the culmination of weeks of covert surveillance and investigation by industry investigators and police. The operation was well established with strict minimum purchase amounts and substantial discounts for those who purchased bulk quantities.
Following the operation, AFACT’s Director of Operations Neil Gane said: “Movie piracy is a serious crime that threatens legitimate businesses including community cinemas and local DVD stores. These businesses deserve a fair go and should not have to compete with criminal rackets on their doorstep. Thanks to the member of the public who reported this crime and the quick, professional response of the New South Wales Police, there is now one less criminal racket active.
“That pirated copies of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” were discovered amongst the haul is especially disappointing. The film was made in Australia, employed over 1,000 Australians, engaged over 100 Australian companies and contributed over $80 million to the local economy. The flagrant sales of pirated copies of the film is a slap in the face to the hard work and creativity that so many Australians put into the movie.”
Dean Mitchell, Investigations Manager of MIPI welcomed the raid: “Music retailers are doing it tough, workers in CD factories are doing it tough, yet people are still out there ripping them off. When we say this is hurting the music industry we are talking about a big chunk of our community that rely on music sales to make a living. This type of selfish, profit driven crime is really a kick in the guts to hard working families”.
The 38-year-old woman is assisting Police with their enquiries.
Movie piracy should be reported to the AFACT hotline: 1800 25 19 96
Music piracy should be reported to the MIPI hotline: 1800 06 16 16
About AFACT
AFACT works closely with industry, government, police and educational institutions to address copyright theft and protect the interests of the film and television industry as well as the interests of Australian movie fans.
In 2008, state and federal police conducted 51 raids involving movie piracy and seized 544,697 pirated DVDs. They also seized 488 burners capable of producing 12 million pirated DVDs a year with a potential street value of over $61million.
AFACT acts on behalf of the 50,000 Australians and small businesses under threat from copyright theft, including independent cinemas, video rental stores and film and television producers across the country.
Contact:
For interviews with Neil Gane, AFACT, contact:
Stephen Jenner: (02) 9997 8011
After hours: 0409 776 196
info@afact.com.au
www.afact.com.au
About MIPI
Music Industry Piracy Investigations Pty Ltd (www.mipi.com.au) is the anti-piracy organisation for the Australian music industry. MIPI represents close to 125 music labels through their association, ARIA and over 1,700 music publishers and songwriters through their association, AMCOS.
MIPI operates a toll-free piracy hotline on 1800 06 16 16 and a report piracy form that can be accessed at www.mipi.com.au/report_piracy/report.htm.
Contact:
For interviews with Dean Mitchell, MIPI, contact:
Samantha Hales: (02) 8569 1177
Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft Ltd. ABN: 56 106 585 924 ACN: 106 585 924
After hours: 0439 605 765
mipi@mipi.com.au
www.mipi.com.au
