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New Funding To Aid Piracy Crackdown In UK

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

20 February 2007

Speaking earlier this month to the Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Group in London, the UK's Trade and Industry Minister, Malcolm Wicks confirmed that, from 6 April, new powers under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, backed up with GBP5m new funding, will be at the disposal of Trading Standards Officers and other UK enforcement agencies.

The Minister explained that:

"The UK film, music and game industries are among the most creative and innovative in the world, but peddlers of counterfeits are costing those industries up to GBP9 billion a year. The taxpayer is also losing out to the tune of GBP300 million. It's a serious offence, whether committed by small-scale hawkers or international crime organisations."

"From 6 April, there’ll be an additional 4,500 pairs of Trading Standards eyes watching counterfeiters and pirates. This will mean more surprise raids at markets and boot sales, more intelligence, more prosecutions and more criminals locked up. IP criminals should know that the UK is not a safe place. Their risk of 10 years' imprisonment and unlimited fines is very real and from this date forward a markedly higher risk."

Bringing into force Section 107a of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CDPA) 1988 was a recommendation of last year's Gowers Review of Intellectual Property. It will make enforcement of copyright infringement the responsibility of Trading Standards, and give enforcement officers the power to make test purchases, enter premises and inspect and seize goods and documents.

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute, observed that:

"Crimelords currently earn fortunes peddling fake goods, bootleg CDs and DVDs through car boot sales and other outlets. People might think they are getting a bargain and turn a blind eye to what is really happening but they should realise that the proceeds from the sale of these goods are used to finance a whole range of criminal activities."

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