28 April 2000

Boy, 14, guilty of trading counterfeit games disks

The Moors Shopping Centre, a notorious blackspot for counterfeit trading, has been the scene of a further arrest and subsequent conviction as enforcement agencies continue in the attempt to stamp out piracy in the area.

A young boy, aged only 14, was caught red handed by an investigator from ELSPA (The European Leisure Software Publishers Association), when filmed actively trading in counterfeit games discs at the shopping centre in Sheffield.

The video provided conclusive evidence in bringing about a prosecution when the boy was brought before Sheffield Juvenile Court. The boy pleaded guilty to trademark offences and was sentenced to 24 hour reparation order together with full forfeiture of the counterfeit goods.

ELSPA is the computer games industry watchdog, which represents the interests of games publishers. It has a dedicated crime unit which is made up of investigators across the country and often works with Police and Trading Standards Officers to combat computer games piracy.

Terry Anslow, Chief Investigator at the ELSPA Crime Unit, commented:

“Computer games piracy is a serious criminal offence, this young boy will experience significant repercussions as a result of this case. Because of his criminal conviction, which will remain on his record, he will struggle to find employment when he has completed his education. Anyone carrying out the criminal activity of copying computer games is liable to be caught. Those tempted to indulge in software piracy be warned: you will be investigated and, if found guilty, you will receive a criminal record as well as a fine or imprisonment.”

Piracy is big business and threatens to undermine the future of software development in the UK. It is estimated that, last year, £3 billion was lost to games producers and retailers. Small retailers are particularly hard hit, as they cannot compete with the pirates. For these reasons, the ELSPA Crime Squad, working with police and trading standards, has significantly increased its activities.

Terry Anslow also sent out a warning to consumers:

“Software piracy is not a headline-grabbing crime. It is not perceived to be sexy or violent or shocking because it is a financial crime and, despite all our efforts to educate and enforce, people are often just not interested in hearing about it.

“What many people do not realise are the links between piracy and organised crime. In 80% of raids carried out by ELSPA over the past year, we have found evidence of crimes ranging from fraud and drug running to prostitution and child pornography. Branches of organised crime have ventured into counterfeiting. These criminals are making obscene profits. By paying just 40p for a disc that costs the consumer between £5 and £15, they have found they can set up a production chain capable of making large profits from a small room with little outlay, leaving them to reinvest the profits into funding more sinister behaviour.

“Consumers need to realise that buying counterfeit goods does not simply mean getting a bargain. Instead, they are being conned into buying software with incomplete programs, applications with viruses or, as is the case of the majority of counterfeit computer games, will not even work. Even if the program does work, buyers will not be able to receive product support or upgrades, because they cannot register it”.

He added:

“ELSPA is doing everything it can to crack the pirates, but we cannot be everywhere at once. We need information and urge anyone who is aware of a counterfeit operation, even if you are without proof, to contact our hotline.

ELSPA’s advice to shoppers on how to spot a fake game is:

- buy from a recognised retail outlet - never from street traders, ‘door-to-door’ salesmen or car boot sales

- look at the packaging, avoid poor quality or photocopied printed labels

- check the price - if it is too good to be true, the software is probably a copy

- genuine PlayStation games discs are always black, never blue, silver or gold.

Anyone with any information on computer games piracy should contact their local trading standards office or call the ELSPA Hotline on 0990 133405. Callers can remain anonymous.

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