stolen movies are made available on P2P networks and shared by downloaders, greatly accelerating the spread of pirated movies. ‘Release Groups’ are also known to sell the illegally recorded movies to criminal groups who manufacture thousands of copies for sale via Internet auction sites, at shopping malls, markets, pubs, clubs and from the back of cars and vans.

Commenting on the conviction, Magistrate Keady said that the actions of Farrugia were “..part of an organised criminal conspiracy.”

Magistrate Keady went on to say that the movie industry “..entitled to the same protection of their property as are householders whose house is broken into and property removed...It is a property offence similar to that of larceny.”

AFACT Director of Operations Neil Gane said, “The successful conclusion of this case is an important development in the fight to prevent illegal camcording of movies during their cinematic release. Anyone thinking of illegally camcording a movie should be aware that it is a crime and that the technology exists to identify them, track them down and take them to court on criminal copyright charges.”

“While we are pleased with the very prompt closure of this matter, we are disappointed in the sentence meted out by the Court as it has failed to recognize the damage this particular crime can have on the industry. This illegal act of camcording can single-handedly destroy the ability of a movie to recoup the investment made in its production and adversely impact the business of cinemas, DVD retail outlets and on-line services around the world that rely on the downstream revenue of the movie. We hope for more stringent sentences to be passed in Australia to deter anyone thinking about camcording,” said Motion Picture Association president and managing director Asia-Pacific Mike Ellis.

Preventing camcording and arresting anyone trying to illegally camcord a movie is one of MPA’s top strategic priorities. Over 90% of first-release pirated movies to first hit the internet or be illegally sold as pirated DVDs originate from illegal recordings being made in cinemas. The effect of illegal...

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