skip

Combating copyright theft

We are actively involved in combating copyright theft across four areas:

Copyright enforcement

Anti piracy logos We support a number of organisations involved in the enforcement of film theft legislation:

  • The Federation Against Copyright Theft – Established in 1983, FACT works closely with statutory law enforcement agencies to combat the growth of pirate DVDs and other broadcast material, including online/internet piracy. FACT is accepted as a prosecution authority in its own right and facilitates investigation and prosecution. The FACT Accreditation Scheme provides a benchmark of security standards for film companies.
  • The UK IP Office – the official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property rights in the UK. The IP office is an Executive Agency of the Department of Innovation.
  • The Trading Standards Institute – a professional association that promotes and protects economic growth by empowering consumers, encouraging honest business practices and targeting rogue traders.

The public can play a role in enforcing copyright by reporting individuals or organisations suspected of film theft accidents on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

Cinema employees can report criminal recording activities at www.fightfilmtheft.org.uk

Education and awareness

We help to make people aware of the value of copyright across the creative industries by endorsing and promoting the 'Create' principles devised by the UK Government's Industries IP forum.

'Create' stands for:

  • C – creativity
  • R – respect for rights
  • E – education and awareness
  • A – access to art
  • T – trust between creators and consumers
  • E – economic benefits

We support a number of organisations that focus on education and awareness related to film theft legislation:

  • The Industry Trust For IP Awareness – an all-industry body that speaks with a common voice for all parts of the industry. The Industry Trust focuses on four key activities: consumer awareness campaigns; support for the industry's anti-piracy body, the Federation Against Copyright Theft; campaigning for more effective enforcement and tougher legislation; providing training and information for retail staff and enforcement agencies.
  • The Alliance Against Intellectual Property Theft – a coalition of UK trade association and enforcement bodies that works to ensure a robust, efficient legislative and regulatory regime for intellectual property rights.
  • Film Education – provides a range of resources and services to help make media education a more integrated part of the National Curriculum. Film Education materials help teachers and pupils to understand film rights and the need to protect them.

Security measures

We support a number of organisations that focus on security measures for the prevention of film theft. These include:

  • Film Distributors' Association – the FDA is the trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK. It represents the distribution industry on issues concerned with security.

New delivery channels

New technologies and delivery channels are developing fast. We support a number of organisations that work to encourage legitimate use of these channels by the audio-visual industry and consumers.

A new section of The Industry Trust's website directs users to legitimate download platforms and provides a step-by-step guide to downloading film.

Video on Demand (VoD) is a fast emerging channel for watching films and video. VoD services are available online, via internet television and through cable, satellite and terrestrial television. Take up in the UK is currently low, but may increase dramatically in future.