Australian market seller fined $22,000 for music piracy

February 13th, 2007

A market seller was today convicted of 11 criminal copyright offences for selling pirated music and fined a total of $22,000 for selling pirate CDs and DVDs at Flemington Markets in Sydney. In July 2006, MIPI investigators assisted the NSW State Police to raid a market stall operated by Simeona Nise TUAOPEPE seizing over 200 infringing CDs and DVDs. Tuaopepe was today charged and convicted in the New South Wales Local Court for possessing and selling pirate music CDs and DVDs in breach of the Copyright Act.

Sabiene Heindl, General Manager of Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) welcomed the conviction stating "This sends a clear message to market vendors that the sale of pirate music at markets will not be tolerated."

"To address the widespread sale of pirate music at local markets, MIPI is strengthening its current market surveillance program in which operatives visit markets throughout all Australian States and Territories. Appropriate action will be taken against any seller of pirated music products", Ms Heindl said.

MIPI has also recently launched a Market Vendor's Guide to Selling Music to educate market sellers about staying on the right side of the law. The Guide is available at MIPI's website at www.mipi.com.au.

Ms Heindl also welcomed the recent amendments to the Copyright Act that came into force on 1 January 2007 which allow the police to issue on-the-spot fines of $1230 to copyright infringers and to seize pirate material. "The new laws will allow the police to deal with people that are selling pirate music in an effective and timely manner", Ms Heindl stated.

About MIPI
Music Industry Piracy Investigations Pty Ltd (MIPI) is an organisation that provides investigative and intellectual property right enforcement related services to the Australian music industry.