A counterfeiter from Workington has been sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment at Carlisle Crown Court today for his part in a large-scale counterfeiting operation.
Paul Lee, aged 39, of Corporation Road, Workington was sentenced by his Honour Judge Batty. At an earlier hearing on 19 December 2005, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to breach Trademark, Copyright and Video Recording Act offences during the period from 9 April 2001 to 10 June 2004.
Assisted by Cumbria Police, Trading Standards’ Officers executed an entry warrant on Mr Lee’s home on 9 June 2004. Officers seized 6 PCs and 7 CD-copying towers, almost 4000 blank CD-R disks, over 2000 DVD cases, tens of thousands of CD cases/wallets, hundreds of indelible pens and ink cartridges. The PCs and copying towers were capable of copying 19 disks simultaneously giving an effective output of 100 disks per hour.
Also found were almost 7000 disks containing counterfeit music recordings, films and computer games, as well as a quantity of unclassified pornographic titles. Nearly 2000 MP3 music files were stored on the computers.
The computers held 7 cover design programs which could have been used to produce counterfeit covers for the music/files/games. The computers also contained over 5000 graphics’ files comprising of disk covers and jewel case inserts for music CDs, DVDs and computer games.
Paul Lee was part of a loose network of dealers in counterfeit goods who stayed in regular contact by email and would update each other whenever new counterfeit titles became available.
Paul Lee would copy the titles using CD and DVD rewriting equipment. The copies would either be made from originals or from copies that he received from someone further up the supply chain.
Lee would regularly email other people (including Anthony Briscoe of Lorton Avenue, Wigton) lists of new CDs and DVDs that had become available. Briscoe, who was employed by BNFL at Sellafield, would then circulate these lists among his fellow employees using the company’s internal email system. His colleagues would then place orders with him, which he would fulfil once Lee had supplied him with the requested items.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Department who brought the prosecution, said: “This is the biggest investigation into counterfeiting that we have carried out. The sentence imposed by the judge, together with the threat of further financial penalties from the Assets Recovery Agency investigation, should serve as a warning to counterfeiters everywhere. I am particularly grateful to BNFL. Information provided by them has resulted in three significant counterfeiters being brought to justice.”
Michael Rawlinson, Deputy Director General of the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), said: "This operation was not your so-called back bedroom scam, but a major pirate manufacturing facility. Its potential output was staggering. This sentence will act as a deterrent to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal copying of computer and video games software and highlights the very real threat of criminal prosecution and a criminal record."
Raymond Leinster, Director General of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) added: "I would like to congratulate Cumbria Trading Standards and Cumbria Police who have brought another successful prosecution for DVD piracy to court. I am also pleased that the court has recognized the serious nature of this crime. FACT continues to work with Trading Standards and the Police in the detection and prosecution of those who trade in counterfeit DVDs across the UK in the workplace, in markets and boot fairs, on the street and online."