BROTHERS GRIM PRISON SENTENCE
Jail for two brothers convicted of counterfeit operation
Monday 27th February 2006/...Two businessmen from Scunthorpe have been jailed following their conviction for running the largest copying operation ever seen in North Lincolnshire.
Forhad Miah (35) and his brother Ajad Miah (31), both of Sheffield Street were sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on 3rd February after their shop, AJ Computers and home address was raided by North Lincolnshire Trading Standards officers and local police.
During the 2003 raid, more than 13,000 items were seized including pirate videotapes, CDs and DVDs. The pair had been obtaining legitimate copies of games and films, which they copied and sold on to customers visiting the shop and also by email.
"We are pleased with the cessation of this major counterfeiting operation, which not only caused loss to the games, music and film industries, but also had a detrimental effect on local retailers," said ELSPA deputy director general Michael Rawlinson. "ELSPA would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and we hope the sentences handed out will act as a strong deterrent to other would-be pirates."
The pair were charged with conspiracy to produce counterfeit product. Forhad Miah, who had a previous conviction for possession of unclassified videos, was ordered to serve 15 months. Ajad Miah, who had no previous convictions, was ordered to serve nine.
The judge concerned awarded two Trading Standards officers - Julie Davey and Andy Woad - a rarely-received Judge's Commendation for their involvement in the operation.
EDITORS NOTES:
About ELSPA - http://www.elspa.com
ELSPA (The Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the computer and video games industry. Membership includes almost all companies concerned with the publishing and distribution of interactive leisure software in the UK.
About Software Piracy and its negative impact on both consumers and industry ELSPA estimates criminal gain through computer and video games piracy sits at approximately £540 million.
Piracy/counterfeiting is illegal and punishable by fines and jail sentences.
The illegal copying of software poses the very real threat of criminal prosecution and a criminal record, as well as the risk of massive personal financial loss under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Consumers have no recourse under law for faulty pirated games, which can damage hardware.
Counterfeited/pirated games are often mixed with obscene or pornographic material.
Local and national jobs are lost as result of pirate operations.
Proven links exist between many organised counterfeiting organisations and dealers in drugs and pornography.
For further information on ELSPA or to arrange interviews, please contact:
EMMA COWIE/ HEATHER WILKINS
BARRINGTON HARVEY
Tel: 01462 456780
Fax: 01462 456781
Email: emma.cowie@bhpr.co.uk/ heather.wilkins@bhpr.co.uk
Issued by: Barrington Harvey, Trooper's Yard, Bancroft, Hitchin SG5 1JW