Ignorance is no excuse of the law and that’s the message head of the Organised Crime Investigative Division (OCID) is now sending out.
Careful how you hawk up those pirated DVDs and CDs, contrary to popular belief, the seller will not be the only person facing prosecution, those who are buying too will also be in trouble with the law.
The police superintendent, who spoke at a press conference to highlight the problems surrounding the act at the Police Officers' Club in St Andrew, said despite the arrest of several people for selling bootleg DVDs and CDS, there was still a high incidence of re-offenders.
"There are challenges in terms of the courts. Even though the fine can be up to $100,000 or two years the judges usually fine offenders $1,000 to $5,000," Bailey said.
Reporters were told that his division was conducting sessions with police officers to ensure that offenders get the message that they will be brought to book.
We have actually started a sensitisation project aimed at educating all formations. Commanders have to be mandated to ensure that the act is enforced," Bailey said.
Bailey said local cinema operators were bleeding red ink as a result of the big market for pirated DVDs."If we are not careful the cinema industry might go under," he said. However, figures showing losses from cinema operators were not immediately available.
Since the start of the year the police have seized more than 50,000 pirated CDs and DVDs and have arrested 70 people.
Seized DVDs and CDs are crushed and destroyed to ensure they do not find their way back on the streets.
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