Man admits film piracy

A man who sold porn and feature films on the internet before they had been released at the cinema has pleaded guilty to counterfeiting.

Andrew King, of Simmonds View, Stoke Gifford, South Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to six offences under the Trade Marks Act and two offences under the Video Recordings Act.

After trading standards received a complaint from a member of public, undercover officers from the department bought films from King in July 2002.

These included a copy of Men in Black II, on sale a month ahead of its UK cinema release date.

They also discovered he was selling video compact discs containing counterfeit films over a website.

Community service

Further offences under the Video Recordings Act were discovered when officers noticed they had been sold discs by Mr King containing pornographic films.

During a search of King's house by trading standards officers, pornographic films, a computer and master discs of copied movies, including Goldmember and Harry Potter, were seized.

On Wednesday, King was sentenced by Northavon magistrates 100 hours' community service, South Gloucestershire Council was awarded full costs of £2783.70.

Neil Derrick, enforcement officer for South Gloucestershire trading standards, said: "This case should act as a warning to other people tempted to sell counterfeit and unclassified films at car boot sales, over the internet or even in the local pub.

"The counterfeiting of any product is a crime and has a severe impact upon the local economy."