DVD pirate had 4,000 fake films
A fraudster who ran a major pirate DVD operation from his home has been jailed and put out of business after his equipment was destroyed.
Edward Philip Renham, aged 43, used sophisticated computer equipment to produce thousands of counterfeit movies and computer games which he sold on Sundays from a stall near Stainforth Market at a bargain price of 10 for four.
A court heard they were costing him only 25p each to make and a judge decided he was "stealing" from the creative minds of the entertainment industry and punished him with a nine-month prison sentence.
Recorder Toby Wynn said it was sustained offending over a prolonged period of time and aggravated because he committed similar offences eight years ago.
"The court gave you an opportunity to mend your ways but you chose to go back to your previous offending. These offences are highly profitable and easy to commit and the courts cannot allow the creative talents and hard work of the entertainment industry to be stolen. There is only one way to deter such offences," said the judge at Doncaster Crown Court.
Renham, of St Peter's Road, Balby, pleaded guilty to 13 copyright offences.
His friend Michael David Utley, aged 39, of Roberts Road, Balby, who helped on the stall, admitted seven counts and was ordered to do 80 hours' unpaid work and pay 500 costs.
Kirstie Watson, prosecuting for Doncaster Council, said trading standards officers checked the tabletop stall in Hall Road, near Stainforth Market and found the DVDs were pirated so police raided it in April last year – when both defendants drove away leaving more than 400 discs behind.
Police raided Renham's house a week later as he and Utley were loading up and in the house found copying equipment capable of making 30 discs at a time.
Almost 4,000 pirate DVDs were found in the house and garage, as well as computer software able to produce forged artwork for the sleeves.
Renham admitted they cost him 25p each to copy over a period of 12 months and he was making 200-300 a week, while paying Utley 50 to help him at the stall.
Michael Cane-Soothill, defending Renham, said he was working as a gardener and takeaway delivery driver but when he had a back operation in 2007 he could not work "and because of financial pressures saw this as a way of raising funds. Unfortunately when he returned to work he didn't stop. If it hadn't been for the back injury he would not have succumbed to temptation."
The judge ordered destruction of all the seized DVDs and copying equipment.
Coun Cynthia Ransome, cabinet member for regulatory/customer services, said: "Counterfeit goods undermine the economy by taking money and jobs away from legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Those involved in counterfeiting are often connected with other criminal activities."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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