FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24 October 2012
VICTORIAN MAN RECEIVES 4-MONTH SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE
FOR MOVIE THEFT
SYDNEY – On 16 October, 29-year-old Kang Yu, from Lower Templestowe in Victoria, was convicted
of selling copyrighted movie and television show DVDs, and handed down a four month suspended jail
sentence. He was also fined on proceeds of crime offences.
The court judgement followed an operation on 4 March 2012 on a market stall in Baybrook Markets,
Melbourne by Victoria Police with the support of investigators from the Australian Federation Against
Copyright Theft (AFACT). During the operation approximately 3,500 illegal movie and television show
DVDs were seized, including illegal copies of The Artist and Hugo, which were then showing in
cinemas nationally and not legitimately available on DVD and Blu-ray.
This was not the first time Kang Yu had been convicted of movie theft. In May 2010, Yu was fined
$3,000 and placed on a community service order for selling infringing copies of movies and television
shows at weekend markets.
Commenting on the conclusion of the court hearings, Neil Gane, Managing Director of AFACT, said,
“We thank and congratulate the Victoria Police for this successful Intellectual Property crime
enforcement operation. This commercial-size illegal movie and television show DVD and Blu-ray
racket was operating unashamedly in broad daylight alongside legitimate hard-working small
businesses at well-known local markets. It’s important that movie thieves are prevented from carrying
out their illegal activities in our community.”
So far in 2012, police, with the assistance of AFACT investigators, have seized over 212,000
suspected illegal movie and television show DVDs and Blu-Ray discs across Australia.
Penalties for copyright crimes under the Commonwealth Copyright Act are a maximum of $60,500
and/or 5 years jail per offence.
Members of the community can provide information on movie piracy to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800
333 000 or AFACT by calling 1800 251 996.
About AFACT
Protecting and promoting the screen community in Australia
AFACT works closely with industry, government and enforcement agencies to address copyright theft
and protect the interests of the film and television community as well as the interests of Australian
movie fans.
In August 2012, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released The Economic Contribution of Australia’s
Copyright Industries 1996-97 to 2010-11, prepared for the Australian Copyright Council. The report
made the following key findings:
1. 906,591 people were employed in the copyright industries, representing 8% of the
Australian workforce.
2. The copyright industries generated an economic value of $93.2 billion, the equivalent of 6.6
% of gross domestic product (GDP).
3.The copyright industries generated just over $7 billion in exports, equal to 2.9% of total
exports.
The Report summarized that Australia’s copyright industries face serious challenges:
“Many of Australia’s traditional copyright industries have been challenged by the ‘perfect storm’
generated by the simultaneous move to digitisation, the enhanced ability for consumers to use the
internet to compare prices, the increase in unauthorised copying and the increased competitiveness of
overseas products because of the high $AUD. The combined impact of these three forces [has led to]
the apparent demise of some distribution models. In this environment there is a need for an
appropriate regulatory model to support copyright businesses’ innovation and sustainable growth.”
Contact:
Stephen Jenner
02 9997 8011
0409 776 196
[email protected]
www.afact.org.au