BUSTED!!! - Pirates that got separated from their booty.
Copied vs Original - Learn how you can spot a copied CD+G Disc

BUSTED!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(First indictment under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Kitchener, Ontario, CANADA (June 9, 2001) -- KAPA hired King Reed and Associates, a firm that investigates commercial crimes, to follow up on tips regarding the production and sale of illegal copies of Karaoke CDGs in Kitchener, Ontario. After 4 months of an undercover investigation, substantial evidence was available to support the issuing of the warrants. Simultaneous raids took place at the homes and Karaoke shows of the suspected copyright infringers. Two homes in Kitchener and Cambridge where counterfeit discs were allegedly being made were raided.

As reported in The National Post, “About 30 peace officers, investigators and police acted on a civil court order allowing them to seize computer hard drives, CD writers, blank CDs and all items associated with the possession, manufacture and distribution of counterfeit compact discs with graphics (CDGs).” In addition, 6 Karaoke Show hosts were approached as they arrived for their shows, and their counterfeit discs were seized. All totaled, approximately $250,000.00 worth of equipment and counterfeit discs was confiscated. This represents the largest seizure of this kind to date.

Many view this type of criminal activity as a victimless crime, however, not only is this an economic loss to the rightful copyright holder, but to others as well. The CDG Manufacturers’ Dealers, who are local music stores, lose revenue. Honest Karaoke hosts lose jobs by being undercut by someone who has less of an investment in their music. Singers also lose because the manufacturers will have to cut back on new production due to lost revenue.

KAPA has filed a lawsuit against those involved in hopes of recovering some of the losses experienced by the manufacturers whose products were illegally reproduced. They will continue to pursue civil and criminal cases against anyone found to be utilizing counterfeit discs for profit.

King Reed and Associates is currently investigating other leads received by KAPA regarding illegal Karaoke counterfeiting operations in Canada and the United States.

SEE THE PICTURES OF THE BUST

July 2, 2002 - As an update to the information on the raid conducted below, this case has now been closed. All of the parties charged were found guilty of copyright infringement and received various sentences based upon their participation. These sentences included fines totaling $30,000, probation, cease-and-desist directives, and other settlements that are not available for public disclosure.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Detroit, MI (March 14, 2001) – As a result of tips to KAPA, investigators representing KAPA discovered a karaoke host using illegal copies of CDGs in her show. After investigating this host, the investigator reported this illegal activity to the authorities.

On March 1, 2001 US Marshalls seized 49 counterfeit CDGs from Ms. Speigel during her show in Detroit, MI. Speigel, who is co-partners with Platinum Entertainment, was served with a complaint, motion, order, writ and summons. Ms. Speigel admitted that she was aware the CDGs were copies. The illegal copies were seized and will be held as evidence pending court action. Speigel purchased the copied CDGs from another source.

Further investigations and actions are forthcoming. This case is very early in the litigation stage. Updates on this case and others will be posted here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(Busts In Apache Junction and Mesa, Arizona)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Rochester, NY (March 14, 2001) -- In December of 2000, a private investigator representing KAPA engaged in conversation with Karaoke host Andy Schneider at a Restaurant/Bar in Rochester, NY. During the course of the conversation, Andy offered to burn copies of the CDGs for the investigator. During subsequent conversations, Andy was given a cash advance towards the completion of the job.

Working in conjunction with the NY State Police and the Monroe County Assistant District Attorney, the investigator made arrangements to meet Schneider at his residence and finalize the transaction. On January 29, 2001, Andrew Schneider completed the sale of 115 counterfeit CDGs with the private investigator. Once the CDGs were identified as counterfeit, the NY State Police arrested Schneider at his residence. He has been charged with Trademark Counterfeiting in the 3rd Degree. The trial date has not been set as of this posting. KAPA is seeking full restitution for the cost of the investigation and for lost revenue.

Pirating IS Stealing May 18, 2002
By Brooke A. Masters, Washington Post Staff Writer

The leader of an international piracy ring was sentenced yesterday in U.S.
District Court in Alexandria to 46 months in prison, the longest term ever
handed down for using the Internet to crack copyright protections and
distribute software, games and movies.

John Sankus Jr., 28, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in February to heading DrinkOrDie, one of the world's oldest and most successful piracy rings with 65 members from more than 12 countries.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. McNulty said the group stole hundreds of products by hacking through copyright protections and then making the software available over the Internet. While many of the programs were made by large manufacturers such as Adobe Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp., the ring nearly bankrupted smaller companies that make their money off a handful of products.

Internet piracy causes millions of dollars in damage each year, McNulty said. "Our message to the techno gangs is clear: You cannot hide in cyberspace. . . . we will find you, and we will prosecute you."

Read more at The Washington Post

COPIED VS. ORIGINAL

What To Look For
The best way to pick out a pirated CD+G disc is to check the back of the disc. Due to the different manufacturers' processes to produce an original CD versus a CD-R (recordable CD), the back of the copied disc will have a different color than the original.

The copied discs have various color differences ranging from blue to green to gold.
CD-R	CD-R	CD-R
CD-R	ORIGINAL

Labeled vs Printed
Another way to identify copied disc is to check the way they are labeled. Most copied discs can be seen with either a plain label printed from a home printer or no label at all and marked with a permanent marker. Regardless of the quality of the printed label, the important thing to remember is if it is LABELED, chances are it is NOT an original.

If it is LABELED, chances are it is NOT an original.

Quality Of Technology
At first glance some discs may appear to be original due to today's advancements in printing and scanning technology that is available to the consumer market.

Very Good Copied Disc	Original

Even with the quality that today's technology offers, you can still pick out a copied disc by looking at the center hole of the disc itself. The ORIGINAL CD+Gs carry the manufacturer's identification number and a bar code hologram whereas a copied disc, in some cases, is labeled as CD-R or CD-RW.

You can pick out a copied disc by looking at the center hole of the disc.

Original CD+G Standards
All original discs carry the same standards with regard to the printing process on the face of the disc. The actual printing is a silk screen process that prints the face of the disc with ink.

Screenprinted face

R E M E M B E R:

• Original discs have a silver back.
• Original discs have a silk screened face (no label).
• Original discs carry a manufacturer's identification number.