Pirate Croatian CDs seized in Melbourne

Melbourne, 24th August 2007

Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) today assisted the Victorian Police in the raid of the home of a prolific trader of Croatian pirate music in Cheltenham, Melbourne. The Police seized approximately 5,000 burnt Croatian CDs and extensive computer burning equipment.

The pirate trader first came to MIPI’s attention when selling burnt Croatian music in church grounds at Keysborough, Clifton Hill and Ardeer in Melbourne to unsuspecting consumers. Enquiries over six months led MIPI investigators to the home of a female trader from where it is understood that large quantities of pirate CDs were being manufactured and distributed for sale.

The CDs feature unauthorised recordings of popular Croatian artists including Thompson, Matko Jelavic and Zlatko Pejakovic. It is expected that criminal charges will be laid against the pirate trader shortly.

Sabiene Heindl, General Manager of MIPI said “The music industry is committed to protecting the copyright of artists and songwriters whether they are based in Australia or overseas. Traders who deliberately burn music and sell it to unsuspecting customers are not only deceiving consumers but they are taking food off the table of artists and songwriters that devote their life to creating music.”

MIPI encourages consumers who believe they may have purchased pirate music to come forward. Information can also be provided through MIPI’s website at www.mipi.com.au.

Penalties for copyright infringement are up to $60,500 and 5 years imprisonment per offence. The criminal case against this pirate trader is expected to be heard in Court over the next couple of months.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About MIPI

Music Industry Piracy Investigations Pty Ltd (www.mipi.com.au) is an organisation that provides investigative and intellectual property right enforcement related services to the Australian music industry and engages in anti-piracy education in Australia. MIPI members include Sony BMG, Universal Music, EMI Music, Warner Music, APRA I AMCOS and many small Australian music labels.

Media Enquiries:

Christy Hayes, Communications Manager, MIPI
Tel: +61 (0)422 604 668