26 February 2007
Raid on major Internet Pirate in Hartlepool
A house in Hartlepool was raided this morning following a lengthy investigation into an illegal website selling music, films, computer games and software.
Items seized during the raid included thousands of master CDs, 30 CD and DVD duplicating burners, four computers, a website server and dozens of illegal copied products that were packed and ready to mail out to customers today.
The five month investigation was carried out by the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit (APU) - the organisation that monitors the illegal use of the works of composers and songwriters, Hartlepool Trading Standards and Cleveland Police.
A warrant was executed by Trading Standards at the premises this morning and one person is due to be questioned later today relating to potential counterfeiting offences.
A spokesperson for the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit said: ‘Buying pirated music costs us all in the long run. Piracy takes money out of the economy – money that could otherwise be spent on improving our communities’.
DS Alan Ions, Cleveland police said: ‘This is a significant step forward in reducing the amount of counterfeit music and films circulating in Hartlepool which are destined for wider distribution around the country.’
Mike Welsh, Trading Standards Officer, Hartlepool said: ‘Counterfeiting harms local businesses and it will not be tolerated’.
Anybody with information regarding counterfeiting activities can phone the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit on 0207 306 4053.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Catherine George, telephone; 020 7306 4777, email; press@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
EDITORS NOTES:
About MCPS - The Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) is a not-for-profit organisation that ensures its 17,000 composer, songwriter and music publisher members are paid royalties when the music they have created is recorded; CDs, DVDs, downloads, computer games and everything in between. MCPS works in an operational alliance with PRS – the Performing Right Society (the MCPS-PRS Alliance) - creating a future for music. www.mcps.co.uk
About the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit - Working alongside UK enforcement agencies, the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit investigates infringements of MCPS members' copyrights.