eBay Films Pirate Jailed For Six Months
A security guard who used hundreds of false identities to sell pirate DVDs on an internet auction site has been jailed for six months.
An investigation by the Federation Against Copyright Theft and eBay revealed the distribution network involved the United States and Australia as well as the UK.
Prosecutor Lynn Griffin told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the 39-year-old father of two had already been importing and distributing pirate copies when he contacted eBay in October 2002 to ask if it was legal.
"He was told unequivocally if he carried on he was breaking the law,'' said Miss Griffin.
But for the next two years Spencer used false identities, including his wife's name, to sell the illegal fakes and, at one stage, had 260 bogus identities registered with eBay.
Spencer was paid using various methods and the court heard he netted about £40,000 through the Pay Pal system alone.
During the investigation a test purchase was made of a Kill Bill DVD, which Miss Griffin said was a poor quality copy.
In October, 2004, Spen-cer's home in Oakhall Park, Thornton, Bradford, was searched and a lap-top was seized from his workplace in Leeds. Miss Griffin said investigators found packages for posting, a spreadsheet listing nearly 4,000 films and postal slips for more than 1,500 items sent between November, 2003 and August, 2004.
Spencer told FACT officials he made between £500 and £800 a month profit and paid his Malaysian supplier £600 a month.
Spencer, now separated from wife Yvonne and living at Westgate Lane, Wakefield, pleaded guilty earlier this year to offences of importing and distributing material that infringed copyright.
The court heard he had no previous convictions and his barrister Nicholas Askins said he had lost his job as a security guard.
"These proceedings placed a terrible strain on the defendant's marriage," said Mr Askins.
His wife was upset and angry and they separated on April 4 after 19 years of marriage.
"He lives between his mother's and grandfather's houses and I submit on any view he has already lost a great deal," he said.
Recorder Helen Proops said: "It may have started out as a legitimate hobby. However you were informed of the illegality of your activities in October, 2002. You didn't drift into this activity, you consciously engaged in it when it was pointed out by eBay that it was not legal."
Spencer's wife had also been charged but Miss Griffin said the prosecution was offering no evidence and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded.
After the case FACT's director general, Raymond Leinster, said he was pleased the prolific pirate DVD trader had been jailed.
"The sale of pirate DVDs online is a growing problem," he said. "But FACT polices auction websites and other sites to ensure that those making substantial criminal gain from such activities can and will be traced and prosecuted.
"I would remind the public they should exercise caution when buying DVDs and other film products from sites such as eBay to ensure they are not purchasing pirate copies."