myosotis
Proud Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2009
- Messages
- 4,224
- Points
- 48
http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2011/09/thousands-of-illegal-vinyl-records-seized/
More than 4000 illegally bootlegged vinyl records, with a street value of over £30,000, have been seized from a specialist records supplier in central Birmingham.
The seizure was made following a raid on a warehouse by Birmingham Trading Standards, as part of a joint operation with the police, Sony and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The operation took place after Trading Standards received an anonymous tip-off about a company selling supposed ‘rare’ and compilation vinyl. Following the information officers made three undercover purchases of records which subsequently proved to be fake after testing by the BPI.
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance which is not officially authorised by the artist or copyright holder. Such recordings can often involve using music samples from well known artists and mixing them with other music, or creating bootleg compilation albums for sale and distribution.
This type of activity including the possession and sale of illicit vinyl is a criminal offence under The Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and prosecution can carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
Music by artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Kylie and the Arctic Monkeys was among the hoard seized.
Cllr Neil Eustace, Chair of the Public Protection Committee, said: “While some may think the trade in bootleg film or music is a victimless crime, the truth is that such black market activity has a very real impact on the livelihood of not just artists, but also many more local people and their opportunity to earn a living in the legitimate music, record, film and recording industries.”
Figures from the BPI estimate that piracy (not including downloads) costs the legitimate music and film industry £100m a year in the UK alone.
David Wood, Director of Anti-Piracy at the BPI, said: “The UK music industry suffers significant loss from the sale of counterfeit and bootleg recordings. I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication shown by Birmingham City Trading Standards Officers for the diligent way they have investigated this case. They have made a significant seizure of bootleg recordings which were destined to be sold to the public”
http://www.blottr.com/breaking-news...d-illegal-records-michael-jackson-and-madonna
Birmingham warehouse housed illegal records of Michael Jackson and Madonna
A warehouse in central Birmingham was raided yesterday to the discovery of thousands of illegal records by music legends such as Michael Jackson, Madonna and Kylie Minogue.
The records were sold to music fans for up to £99, but these bootleg records are fake copies of originals and not worth the extortionate prices that people have paid for them. Tests were carried out on the records to prove that as collector’s items, the pieces are worthless.
It is often thought that bootlegging music is a harmless crime, but Birmingham’s chairman of the city’s public protection committee was keen to set the record straight, as it were. Neil Eustace said about the incident “the truth is that such black market activity has a very real impact on the livelihood of not just artists, but also many more local people and their opportunity to earn a living in the legitimate music, record, film and recording industries.” In the UK alone, the estimated cost of piracy is around £100m per year and discovery of piracy can land a person a 10 year prison sentence.
The discovery is thought to be the tip of the iceberg as this kind of memorabilia only increases in popularity, meaning it is likely that more such illegal warehouses exist that are ripping off the public.
More than 4000 illegally bootlegged vinyl records, with a street value of over £30,000, have been seized from a specialist records supplier in central Birmingham.
The seizure was made following a raid on a warehouse by Birmingham Trading Standards, as part of a joint operation with the police, Sony and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The operation took place after Trading Standards received an anonymous tip-off about a company selling supposed ‘rare’ and compilation vinyl. Following the information officers made three undercover purchases of records which subsequently proved to be fake after testing by the BPI.
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance which is not officially authorised by the artist or copyright holder. Such recordings can often involve using music samples from well known artists and mixing them with other music, or creating bootleg compilation albums for sale and distribution.
This type of activity including the possession and sale of illicit vinyl is a criminal offence under The Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and prosecution can carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
Music by artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Kylie and the Arctic Monkeys was among the hoard seized.
Cllr Neil Eustace, Chair of the Public Protection Committee, said: “While some may think the trade in bootleg film or music is a victimless crime, the truth is that such black market activity has a very real impact on the livelihood of not just artists, but also many more local people and their opportunity to earn a living in the legitimate music, record, film and recording industries.”
Figures from the BPI estimate that piracy (not including downloads) costs the legitimate music and film industry £100m a year in the UK alone.
David Wood, Director of Anti-Piracy at the BPI, said: “The UK music industry suffers significant loss from the sale of counterfeit and bootleg recordings. I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication shown by Birmingham City Trading Standards Officers for the diligent way they have investigated this case. They have made a significant seizure of bootleg recordings which were destined to be sold to the public”
http://www.blottr.com/breaking-news...d-illegal-records-michael-jackson-and-madonna
Birmingham warehouse housed illegal records of Michael Jackson and Madonna
A warehouse in central Birmingham was raided yesterday to the discovery of thousands of illegal records by music legends such as Michael Jackson, Madonna and Kylie Minogue.
The records were sold to music fans for up to £99, but these bootleg records are fake copies of originals and not worth the extortionate prices that people have paid for them. Tests were carried out on the records to prove that as collector’s items, the pieces are worthless.
It is often thought that bootlegging music is a harmless crime, but Birmingham’s chairman of the city’s public protection committee was keen to set the record straight, as it were. Neil Eustace said about the incident “the truth is that such black market activity has a very real impact on the livelihood of not just artists, but also many more local people and their opportunity to earn a living in the legitimate music, record, film and recording industries.” In the UK alone, the estimated cost of piracy is around £100m per year and discovery of piracy can land a person a 10 year prison sentence.
The discovery is thought to be the tip of the iceberg as this kind of memorabilia only increases in popularity, meaning it is likely that more such illegal warehouses exist that are ripping off the public.
Last edited: