P2P

Streaming

Optical disc theft

Theatrical print theft

Screener theft

Signal theft

Illegal public performance

 A case In June 2009, "FACT brought a lawsuit against the company Scopelight and its founders for running a video search engine called Surfthechannel.com. The organisation accompanied a police raid on the Scopelights owner's homes, Anton and Kelly Vickerman, who collaborated with the police in the initial investigation and they allowed FACT employee's to inspect confiscated computers and the information on them. After a few months the police decided there was not currently sufficient evidence to prosecute the owners for criminal charges. Scopelight's owners requested their property back to which FACT refused claiming they were holding onto the equipment to be used for a civil case against the owners. The issue was brought to court and it was ruled that FACT's actions were improper and the equipment should have been returned as soon as police decided not to prosecute the owners of Scopelight"

Camcorder theft is one of the biggest problems facing the film industry. Approximately 90% of new releases that are pirated are directly recorded with digital recording devices. Developments in technology mean the use of smaller mobile devices including mobile phones are more commonly used as they are more discreet. These recordings are the trigger for mass productions of millions of illegal copies over the internet or in optical disc form.

Watermarking in films allows pirated copies to be traced to the source through forensic investigation. However and it is becoming increasingly common for sophisticated groups to combine stolen video footage with separate audio, audio theft is more challenging to prevent.

P2P

P2P or peer to peer sharing allows the sharing of digital files among “peers”. When using a peer to peer network you are allowing files stored on your computer to be available for copying by other users. You can then transfer exact copies of these files from one computer to another. Although it is legal means to share large amounts of data or files, it is used to exchange copyrighted material illegally. While people may believe their files are only available to a few friends these files can be accessed by millions of people all over the world who are part of the same P2P network. The default setting for most P2P networks ensures that individual downloading files are simultaneously uploading files, which means if you download movies you are often distributing illegal content to others. By allowing strangers to access files on your computer, private files could also become accessible and put you at risk. P2P sharing also exposes your computer to harmful viruses, spyware and pop-ups.

Streaming

Illegal streaming allows you to view unauthorised copyrighted content on demand without downloading the illegal file. Websites may stream directly or provide links to content hosted on other websites. Both hosting unauthorised content and providing links to unauthorised content is illegal.

Illegal streaming sites often provide a subscription service whereby you can pay to stream illegal content. These sites can often host advertisements for legitimate products or services alongside the illegal content. They may also use trademarks, cover art and provide a plot summary or cast list as a means to fool consumers into believing that the website is legal.

Optical disc theft

Optical disc theft is the illegal manufacturing, sale and distribution of movies in a hard copy form e.g. DVDs. Organised crime groups often run these operations; there is evidence to show that these same groups are involved in drugs and people trafficking. There are also smaller operations in homes or even places of work. These illegal copies can be sold anywhere; via the internet, on the streets and in markets all over the world.

Theatrical print theft

Theatrical print theft is the theft of a film print or digital film from a cinema, film depot, courier service or other industry related facility with intent to create illegal copies. This type of theft enables a high quality copy of a film to be used as a master for duplication and subsequently unauthorised distribution. This type of theft is rare due to increased security measures and a certification system for industry related facilities.

Screener theft

Advanced copies of films used for screening and marketing purposes called ‘screeners’ can be used to make illegal copies. This type of theft is rare, thousands are sent out every year with very few leaks. To protect against screener leaks film distributors put security measures in place to ensure screeners are delivered to the intended recipients and packages can be tracked and traced.

Signal theft

Signal theft is the act of illegally manipulating satellite signals without authorisation.  Signal theft is possible by use of cable decoders or satellite descramblers to provide unauthorised access to satellite broadcasts. Internationally, programmes not legally available in a country are pirated from satellites in one country and re-transmitted to another by cable or broadcast TV.

Illegal public performance

Unlicensed or unauthorised performance is transmitting, by means of any device, a performance to the public without permission from the copyright owner.