U.K. piracy syndicate smashed by music and film anti-piracy units

January 22, 2004

This week anti-piracy raids were conducted in the U.K. by the police with assistance from anti-piracy units FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and BPI (British Phonographic Industry). According to Mi2N a
massive organised crime piracy syndicate was
disabled. The raids began on Thursday last week in the
U.K. (Sheffield), where a server controlling the communication &
distribution network was seized.

Throughout the raids, which took place in Manchester, Sheffield, Eastbourne, Darlington, Hull, Hartlepool, Anglesey, Wrexham and Derby massive amounts of pirate material '“ including music, films, business software, PlayStation games and suspected paedophile material '“ were seized, with an estimated value running onto the millions of pounds.

The material was distributed via an internet forum '“ controlled by the server seized in Sheffield. We have reason to believe that over 300 pirates '“ each paying a monthly subscription to be part of the syndicate '“ were involved in the scam.

Nine individuals, who are understood to be the syndicate's ringleaders, were arrested throughout the course of the raids and they have now been questioned and released on Police bail pending further investigation..

FACT Director General Brian Conlon, said:
"We're delighted that we've been able to put a stop to the operation of what is effectively a massive crime syndicate. By going after the root of the problem we've been able to dramatically reduce the availability of pirate material across the UK."

BPI Director of Anti-Piracy David Martin added:
"These raids are the upshot of a year-long investigation, conducted alongside our colleagues at FACT, the Police and Trading Standards. Music pirates are increasingly dealing in all sorts of illegal material '“ be it films or computer software. These raids are a perfect example of how we, as an industry, can pool our resources to great effect, and long may our relationship continue."