Michael Jackson’s Music Pirated

Media release bust – 1
30 September 2009

Michael Jackson’s Music Pirated
Police raid Manurewa store, arrest proprietor

Police have 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, the police executed a search warrant at Indian Sweets & Snacks, Videos & Spices on 30 September 2009.

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 Indian man was arrested.

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

“Pirate CD sellers are criminals” 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 by local record labels.”

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 up to $150,000 and / or up to five years imprisonment per offence.

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