Sentencing of £1m film pirates welcomed
The sentencing of four movie pirates who swindled £1million out of the film industry has been welcomed by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
Sahil Rafiq, aged 25, Reece Baker, 22, Ben Cooper, 33, and Graeme Reid, 40, were part of a racket that created copies of blockbuster films and distributed them on the web for free.
The gang illegally released online more than 2,500 films including Argo, the Avengers and Skyfall.
Kieron Sharp, director general of the Federation Against Copyright Theft, said it was a landmark case for the industry.
"The sentencing is a great success for FACT as it marks the first time a release group has been criminally prosecuted. Rafiq, Baker, Reid, Cooper and Hemming were all aware that they were engaging in criminal activity. Their actions have now cost them their liberty.
"The result of this case sends out a serious message to anyone engaging in online piracy to think twice or face getting caught, prosecuted and sent to prison.
Rafiq of Warnford Walk, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years while Cooper, of Dilloways Lane, Willenhall, was given three-and-a-half years at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.
Baker of Colletts Grove, Birmingham and Reid of Kingsclere Walk, Chesterfield, were given four-years and two-months, and three-and-half-years, respectively.
Scott Hemming, 25, of Perry Common Road, Birmingham, was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and made the subject of a mental health treatment requirement.
All five had admitted conspiracy to defraud at various stages between March 1 in 2010, and January 1 last year by copying, distributing or making available online infringing copies of films.
