Coventry City Council, UK, assisted by investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft, led to the arrest and successful prosecution of Wayne Harry Haywood, 41, sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for dealing in counterfeit DVDs. Offences were committed under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

Coventry Crown Court had earlier heard that in July 2005, following the execution of a warrant by Trading Standards Officers of Coventry City Council, Haywood was found to be in possession of over 800 counterfeit DVDs at his home. Computers for copying the DVDs were also found. The DVDs included some of the latest cinema releases, which were not legally available in DVD format, and would have had a retail value of approximately £13,000.

Councillor Hazel Noonan, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: "I hope that the length of this prison sentence will deter others who are thinking of defrauding the public by selling counterfeit goods. We are keen to stamp out the sale of all counterfeit goods here in Coventry. Such goods are often of poor quality, inferior to the genuine goods and they cost honest businesses money."

Kieron Sharp, Director General of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), commented: "Film piracy is a serious crime and we are pleased with the result of this case. It shows that the courts are increasingly prepared to hand out custodial sentences."

Story filed 22.07.07