Millions of pounds in counterfeit goods have been seized from an illegal website this week in a raid by the council. After an 18 month covert operation, 5000 films, 2000 games, and 1000 music copies, along with equipment used for copying, printing and scanning discs were sniffed out.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), led by Liverpool City Council’s Trading Standards unit, shut down Marksdomain.org which at its peak contained more than 30000 titles.
The biggest operation of its kind in the North West was concluded by issuing five warrants to individuals in Liverpool and Manchester, all of whom were arrested and bailed pending further investigation.
All of the individuals were males in their forties, two of them also suspected of committing benefit fraud.
Liverpool’s Trading Standards minister, Councillor Tim Moore said “this particulartype of website is extremely damaging to the film and music industry.
He went on, “Individuals who set up and operate this type of criminal activity have a direct impact on the local economy impacting on legitimate businesses trying to survive in these tough financial times.”
Roy Paul, Head of North West Fraud for the DWP spoke of the departments efficiency at present, "The DWP Fraud Investigation Service enjoys excellent joint working relationships with trading standards, the police and the music, film and game industry."We have a long tradition of working together to impact on those involved in intellectual property crime and associated benefit fraud. I am pleased that this latest operation has been successful."
Councillor Moore was keen to stress that the arrest is far from an isolated incident, and that it is a continuing work in progress, “It is not a victimless crime and we will continue to work with partners to close down these websites and prosecute offenders.”
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