England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Offences of criminal fraud, including:
Section 6, Fraud Act 2006 – Possession etc. of articles for use in frauds
1. A person is guilty of an offence if he has in his possession or under his control any article for use in the course of or in connection with any fraud.
This legislation has been successfully used to prosecute a number of offenders for illegal recording activity.
Section 7, Fraud Act 2006 – Making or supplying articles for use in frauds
1. A person is guilty of an offence if he makes, adapts, supplies or offers to supply any article:
a. Knowing that it is designed or adapted for use in the course of or connection with fraud, or
b. Intending it to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud
For more info see: www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/intellectual-property-crime#illicit
Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Offences under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, mainly:
Section 107(1)(d)(iv) / (1)(e)
Distributing an article which is an infringing copy of a copyright work
a. In the course of a business or
b. To such an extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright (indictable)
Plus
Section 107(2)(a)
Section 107 (2A)
There have been numerous criminal convictions for such activity in the UK – some examples are shown below. Click to enlarge gallery.
Such criminal activity carries a potential 10 years’ maximum imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Explore for yourself the applicable legislation:
