29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Music News - Sting Nets Music Piracy Guilty Plea

Sting Nets Music Piracy Guilty Plea

14 April 2010 - 0 Comments

A store owner charged with selling counterfeit Michael Jackson CDs has pleaded guilty in the Manukau District Court.
 
On 30 September 2009 Police raided a Manurewa store and arrested its proprietor for selling pirated copies of Michael Jackson CDs.

Acting on information from a member of the public passed on to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), the police executed a search warrant at Indian Sweets & Snacks, Videos & Spices.

As well as about 20 Michael Jackson and Eminem CDs believed to contain pirated material, the Police also seized a computer with optical disc burning capabilities.

A 30-year old man was arrested and has now pleaded guilty. He is due to be sentenced on May 12.

A member of the public reported the shop to RIANZ in July 2009. During a joint operation with the police, RIANZ investigators visited the store and bought pirated copies of 'Thriller' and 'Bad' among others.

"Pirate CD sellers are thieves," says RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith. "Not only are they stealing from artists and songwriters, they are also taking sales from legitimate CD retailers and removing cash flow for reinvestment in NZ music."

Mr Smith says RIANZ believes by enforcing the law it is highlighting the scale of the problem.

"Piracy is an enormous problem for our industry. We prosecute in order to educate about copyright, to get the message out that it's wrong to make or sell pirated material."

Mr Smith says RIANZ is actively monitoring the sale of pirate CDs nation-wide.

"The police are right behind us on this and they really have done a great job in supporting our investigations and taking action against those infringing the law."

The penalty for offending is for a fine up to $150,000 and / or up to five years imprisonment per offence.

RIANZ has recently launched a Report Music Piracy website where the public can submit music piracy concerns. It's at www.reportmusicpiracy.co.nz.


Next: RIANZ Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards adds Pop category

Prev: NZ Music Month 2010

Comments

There are currently no comments for this article. Please log in to add new comments.

Return to News Archive

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem