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News Item
AICO Newsletter - March 2009 Issue 13
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Piracy Case Settled Out of Court
Vivid Entertainment LLC, and others v Digital Wholesalers Discounters Pty Ltd, and others
The piracy case in the Federal Magistrates Court Sydney, against Digital Wholesalers and others was settled out of court in mid December 2008.
The settlements involved considerable cash payments to AICO by all of the respondents. These amounts remain confidential under the terms of the settlement.
This case involved the sale of pirate DVDs via mail order catalogues and a web site www.digitalwholesalersaustralia.com. It was also the first instance where AICO joined the printer of a DVD mail order catalogue to a piracy case.
The Digital Wholesalers Australia web site was taken down as a result of the action taken by AICO and its members. It was being hosted by a Hong Kong based ISP.
The take down confirmed AICO’s intention, ability and legal right to act overseas to protect the copyright of its members. AICO’s lawyers Gilbert +Tobin have associates in many countries who can assist in the enforcement of copyright.
AICO wishes to thank Vivid, Digital Playground, Evil Empire, Private, Titan Media, Club Jenna, Wicked, Falcon, Red Light District, Zero Tolerance plus Calvista Australia Pty Ltd for their assistance in this matter.
New C1R Distributor in OZ
The world’s largest producer of Gay Media, Channel 1 Releasing (C1R), has appointed founding AICO member, Calvista Australia Pty Ltd, as its exclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand.
Illegal Parallel Importing of Films
AICO and its members remain concerned about the increase in the illegal parallel importing of DVDs. Much of this is being done via adult DVD web sites and mail order catalogues or sold directly to and from adult stores.
Parallel importing occurs when someone who is not the authorised exclusive importer of films brings those films into Australia for commercial purposes. The sale of parallel imported films in defiance of the exclusive rights of an Australian distributor infringes copyright.
If you are a retailer or wholesaler of adult DVDs in Australia and you are uncertain if you are infringing the exclusive distribution rights of an AICO member you should contact that member or AICO for clarification.
How to spot a pirate DVD BROCHURE
AICO’s investigation of the sale of pirate blue back DVDs, pirate factory pressed silver back DVDs and parallel imported DVDs is ongoing.
AICO’s How to spot a pirate DVD brochure will help you identify copyright infringing DVDs. If you are uncertain about the authenticity of AICO member DVDs offered to you check with an AICO distributor member or the film studio.
You can request a copy of AICO’s brochure How to spot a pirate DVD via email, info@aico.org.au or by calling 02 9328 5527. A soft copy download is available on the home page of the AICO web site.
4 MILLION AICO HOLOGRAMS
AICO distributor members have affixed 4 million AICO holograms to their films. By purchasing DVDs that display the AICO hologram you are assured that the film you are buying is authentic.
Visit the “News” menu on Home Page of AICO’s website www.aico.org.au for updates on piracy cases, AICO press releases and related matters.
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| Date :2009-02-24 00:00:00 |
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