Menu
01/09/2003
Taskforce to tackle £400 million film piracy racket
Representatives from across the UK film industry are joining together in a new anti-piracy taskforce to tackle the scourge of illegal film copying and distribution - which is estimated to have cost the UK industry £400 million last year alone, the UK Film Council announced today.
According to research by FACT (the Federation on Copyright Theft), which monitors and acts upon illegal activity across a variety industries including film, music, and computer games, film piracy in the UK increased by a staggering 83% last year, costing the industry an estimated £400 million last year.
The taskforce will aim to map out the nature and extent of the problem, and identify possible solutions for the UK film industry and Government, including toughening up current laws covering the area.
FACT figures on the numbers of pirate DVDs being seized have been used to highlight the scale of the problem: 2002 saw a 100% increase in the seizure rate of pirate DVDs compared to the previous year, with 659,000 illegal film copies - with a potential value of £10 million - being recovered. On 2 May 2003, a search in Hornsey in North London netted 100,000 DVDs, worth an estimated £1,425,000, along with computer equipment, artwork, and DVD labels. The products have been traced to the Far East; in June 2003 100,000 DVDs and 300,000 items of accompanying artwork were seized after a search of a house in Waltham Abbey in Essex.
The new taskforce, which will be chaired by UK Film Council board member Nigel Green, includes representatives of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK film producers, distributors, exhibitors, visual effects companies and major US studios, film sales agents, as well as actors’ union Equity.
Announcing the formation of the taskforce, Mr Green said: “More than 50,000 people work in the UK’s film and video sector, and piracy is a direct attack on their jobs and our economy generally, inhibiting the growth of our own industry.
“The film business is an international industry and film piracy is a global problem. Acting at a UK level this taskforce will complement and support efforts being made to tackle this scourge across the world.”
UK Film Council Chief Executive Officer John Woodward said: “Illegal film copying and distribution threatens both jobs and future film production in the UK. People need to remember that when they buy a pirate DVD or video they are not only likely to end up wasting their money on a poor quality product they are often putting money straight into the hands of organised criminals."
(GB)
According to research by FACT (the Federation on Copyright Theft), which monitors and acts upon illegal activity across a variety industries including film, music, and computer games, film piracy in the UK increased by a staggering 83% last year, costing the industry an estimated £400 million last year.
The taskforce will aim to map out the nature and extent of the problem, and identify possible solutions for the UK film industry and Government, including toughening up current laws covering the area.
FACT figures on the numbers of pirate DVDs being seized have been used to highlight the scale of the problem: 2002 saw a 100% increase in the seizure rate of pirate DVDs compared to the previous year, with 659,000 illegal film copies - with a potential value of £10 million - being recovered. On 2 May 2003, a search in Hornsey in North London netted 100,000 DVDs, worth an estimated £1,425,000, along with computer equipment, artwork, and DVD labels. The products have been traced to the Far East; in June 2003 100,000 DVDs and 300,000 items of accompanying artwork were seized after a search of a house in Waltham Abbey in Essex.
The new taskforce, which will be chaired by UK Film Council board member Nigel Green, includes representatives of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK film producers, distributors, exhibitors, visual effects companies and major US studios, film sales agents, as well as actors’ union Equity.
Announcing the formation of the taskforce, Mr Green said: “More than 50,000 people work in the UK’s film and video sector, and piracy is a direct attack on their jobs and our economy generally, inhibiting the growth of our own industry.
“The film business is an international industry and film piracy is a global problem. Acting at a UK level this taskforce will complement and support efforts being made to tackle this scourge across the world.”
UK Film Council Chief Executive Officer John Woodward said: “Illegal film copying and distribution threatens both jobs and future film production in the UK. People need to remember that when they buy a pirate DVD or video they are not only likely to end up wasting their money on a poor quality product they are often putting money straight into the hands of organised criminals."
(GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2012
UK Film Urged To Go Mainstream
Comments made by Britain’s Prime Minister, that urged the UK film industry to become more "mainstream" ahead of a review on the UK’s film policy next Monday, have been met with criticism.
UK Film Urged To Go Mainstream
Comments made by Britain’s Prime Minister, that urged the UK film industry to become more "mainstream" ahead of a review on the UK’s film policy next Monday, have been met with criticism.
13 October 2003
Lottery-backed UK films net £125m in receipts
National Lottery investments in the UK film industry has generated box office takings of over £125 million, new figures released today have revealed. Overall, £13 million of Lottery funding invested by the UK Film Council has generated £125.
Lottery-backed UK films net £125m in receipts
National Lottery investments in the UK film industry has generated box office takings of over £125 million, new figures released today have revealed. Overall, £13 million of Lottery funding invested by the UK Film Council has generated £125.
19 July 2004
UK film industry worth a billion dollars in 2003
The top 10 UK films at the international box office scooped more than a billion dollars between them last year, according to a UK Film Council report published today.
UK film industry worth a billion dollars in 2003
The top 10 UK films at the international box office scooped more than a billion dollars between them last year, according to a UK Film Council report published today.
28 November 2003
Film Council study finds post-production sector generates £1.4b for UK economy
British film industry creative and technical expertise has helped to generate £1.39 billion and 15,000 jobs in the UK economy, a major new report published by the Film Council has revealed.
Film Council study finds post-production sector generates £1.4b for UK economy
British film industry creative and technical expertise has helped to generate £1.39 billion and 15,000 jobs in the UK economy, a major new report published by the Film Council has revealed.
29 November 2010
UK Industry Bankrolls Inbound Films
An increase in National Lottery funds and an emphasis on funding from within the UK movie industry itself are to bankroll the British Film Institute (BFI) as it assumes the former international marketing role of the UK Film Council (UKFC).
UK Industry Bankrolls Inbound Films
An increase in National Lottery funds and an emphasis on funding from within the UK movie industry itself are to bankroll the British Film Institute (BFI) as it assumes the former international marketing role of the UK Film Council (UKFC).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
