Zeus
01-15-2007, 09:16 AM
A dawn raid at a Worcestershire man’s premises has uncovered a stash of illegally copied games and films together with copying equipment thanks in part to the forensic information gleaned from another, previously convicted, criminal’s computer. It is understood that the latter criminal was mostly duplicating Halo 2 for the original Xbox and some DVD films.
[b]PRESS RELEASE: Worcestershire Source Of Pirate Activity[/n]
The raid, which took place at on 9th January by Worcestershire Trading Standards, West Mercier Police and an ELSPA anti-piracy investigator, led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of computer equipment and a comprehensive library of console games. The 37 year-old man had been operating a mini factory at his home to duplicate illegal copies of games (mostly Xbox first-person shoot ‘em up Halo 2) and DVD films.
ELSPA investigators first became aware of the man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, back in April 2005, when his name and address was discovered on the PC of another man who had been supplying him with copied games and films. Later it was discovered he was advertising illegally copied game and film product on a website. Several test purchases were made followed by a raid that took place in August 2005 at his then Essex residence. During the raid, Essex Trading Standards and an ELSPA investigator discovered that he had just moved shortly before and his web site closed for ‘legal reasons’.
The man suddenly reappeared in the autumn of 2006 advertising his wares on another web site and further test purchases were made by an online ELSPA investigator and Worcestershire Trading Standards before the raid took place at his Worcester premises. Four PCs, an Xbox and an Xbox 360 were found along with a duplicating tower, removable hard drive and 500 discs - many of which were masters from which he made copies. Following the raid the computers and discs were taken away for forensic examination.
Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA commented: “The replication of computer and video games software and any other multimedia product is illegal and has a negative impact on both local and national businesses. ELSPA would like to thank the efforts of Worcestershire Trading Standards in their attempts to protect legitimate local traders and remove illegal products from the marketplace.”
Peter Holmes, Principle Trading Standards Officer for Worcestershire County Council, added: “This Service has a robust approach to counterfeiters and their activities. These individuals will be brought before the criminal courts where they are likely to receive a heavy sentence, including imprisonment. This Service works closely with organisations such as ELSPA to protect the public, trade mark holders and legitimate traders.”
[b]PRESS RELEASE: Worcestershire Source Of Pirate Activity[/n]
The raid, which took place at on 9th January by Worcestershire Trading Standards, West Mercier Police and an ELSPA anti-piracy investigator, led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of computer equipment and a comprehensive library of console games. The 37 year-old man had been operating a mini factory at his home to duplicate illegal copies of games (mostly Xbox first-person shoot ‘em up Halo 2) and DVD films.
ELSPA investigators first became aware of the man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, back in April 2005, when his name and address was discovered on the PC of another man who had been supplying him with copied games and films. Later it was discovered he was advertising illegally copied game and film product on a website. Several test purchases were made followed by a raid that took place in August 2005 at his then Essex residence. During the raid, Essex Trading Standards and an ELSPA investigator discovered that he had just moved shortly before and his web site closed for ‘legal reasons’.
The man suddenly reappeared in the autumn of 2006 advertising his wares on another web site and further test purchases were made by an online ELSPA investigator and Worcestershire Trading Standards before the raid took place at his Worcester premises. Four PCs, an Xbox and an Xbox 360 were found along with a duplicating tower, removable hard drive and 500 discs - many of which were masters from which he made copies. Following the raid the computers and discs were taken away for forensic examination.
Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA commented: “The replication of computer and video games software and any other multimedia product is illegal and has a negative impact on both local and national businesses. ELSPA would like to thank the efforts of Worcestershire Trading Standards in their attempts to protect legitimate local traders and remove illegal products from the marketplace.”
Peter Holmes, Principle Trading Standards Officer for Worcestershire County Council, added: “This Service has a robust approach to counterfeiters and their activities. These individuals will be brought before the criminal courts where they are likely to receive a heavy sentence, including imprisonment. This Service works closely with organisations such as ELSPA to protect the public, trade mark holders and legitimate traders.”