(LAWFUEL) – A 45-year-old New Zealand citizen was arrested last night (23 December) in connection with an international music piracy ring.
The man was arrested after arriving at Sydney Airport on a flight from
Auckland. The investigation began in June 2007, after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received a referral into allegations of music piracy from Music Industry Piracy Investigations and the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.
In April 2008, AFP agents conducted search warrants at businesses and
residences across Sydney. A number of items were seized including music CDs, computers containing extensive amounts of music files, empty CD cases, business records and promotional material for the sale of the CDs.
A 36-year-old Petersham man was arrested on 21 April 2008 in connection with the operation. Police will allege in court that the 45-year-old was actively involved in the business, which distributed pirated music CDs to businesses in New Zealand, Western Australia and Queensland. The 45-year-old man was charged with five counts of distributing an infringing copy, contrary to section 132AI (1) of the Copyright Act 1968. He was bailed to appear in Waverley Local Court on 21 January 2009. The maximum penalty for these offences is five years imprisonment and/or a $60,500 fine.
