FACT praises new piracy penalties

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has praised the Government announcement that there will be tighter penalties for illegal copying and piracy.

In his Pre Budget Report, Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced tighter penalties and additional funding for enforcement by Trading Standards.

In his speech, the Chancellor said: “It is because the future success of our creative and knowledge based industries depends upon Britain having a robust intellectual property regime that the Secretary for Industry is announcing he will tighten the penalties for copying and piracy while giving individuals new rights for personal use; and he will introduce a new fast track protection for small companies to safeguard their trademarks.”

Kieron Sharp, FACT director general, said: “Film piracy has been seen by some as a ‘soft’ crime yet it brings harm and other serious criminal activity to local communities. It also has proven involvement with organised crime in the UK and internationally. ?

FACT has strengthened its resource and capability over the past year and is now the pre eminent anti-piracy organisation in the UK.

Criminals made over £270 million from film piracy in 2005, making this the worst affected single sector for intellectual property crime out of all IP industries. This is revenue that has been lost to the local and national economy and is affecting British jobs.”

Also, following the commissioning of a review of intellectual property, the Gowers Report published on December 6, intellectual property crime has also been recognised in the National Community Safety Plan.

FACT has also expressed pleasure that Gowers Report recommended regulation of so-called ‘occasional sales’, such as markets and car boot sales.

FACT works with Police and Trading Standards across the UK to ensure that those involved in film piracy are punished for their actions.