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News Item
AICO Newsletter March 2010 Issue 16
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Digital Playground and others v Play Me Distribution Pty Ltd and Helen Dannoun
The piracy case against Helen Dannoun and the Play Me Adult Stores in Kogarah NSW (aka Fantasy Lane) and Leichhardt NSW (aka Leichhardt Adult Superstore) was discontinued in late November 2009.
Dannoun became a Bankrupt during the course of proceedings and the Play Me Leichhardt Adult Superstore closed down. At the last check that premises was up for lease.
Graeme Dunne, AICO’s Executive Officer said that, “AICO and its members would have liked to see the matter proceed to a full hearing and judgement against Dannoun for the alleged piracy of AICO member films. However, the act and legal and other consequences of an individual becoming a Bankrupt should not be taken lightly and would not be a desired outcome for any person in the adult or any other business, nor would the closure of a business.”
In an ironic twist of events following AICO’s discontinuance in November of the piracy case against Dannoun the NSW Police raided the Kogarah Play Me / Fantasy Lane store in December 2009. AICO understands that the police seized thousands of DVDs based on alleged breaches of NSW classification laws and that the matter is ongoing.
Venus Piracy Cases Settlement Finalised
AICO is pleased to report that the long-running piracy cases and subsequent out of court settlement with Venus Adult Shops Pty Ltd and others (Venus) have come to an end following Venus’s payment of their final settlement instalment in February 2010.
Ongoing Investigation of Adult Stores
Film piracy and film content piracy remains a hot media topic on the national and international stage. While there have been some recent set-backs for copyright owners in the enforcement of pirated online and internet content, the position of those caught red handed selling pirated or illegally parallel imported DVDs remains perilous.
Piracy undermines the livelihood of legitimate film retailers and distributors and remains a real and ongoing threat to the studios, producers, actors, directors, technicians, marketers and other employees that make adult films possible.
Illegitimate operators and adult media pirates do not want to see an industry with a level playing field. Their livelihood is made from stolen goods, that is the pirated films they sell, often under opaque business structures in an attempt to avoid detection by copyright owners.
If you are selling copyright infringing DVDs you run the risk of detection by AICO’s investigators and possible legal action by AICO and its members. You never know when an AICO investigator is buying DVDs from your store. Maybe it was the customer you just served?
Michael Bassett Appointed to AICO’s Board of Directors
Michael Bassett, CEO of Calvista Australia Pty Ltd, was appointed to the AICO Board of Directors on 5 February 2010, joining existing directors Samantha Lewis, Malcolm Day, Todd Blatt and Bruce Lahey. Michael brings a wealth of adult industry expertise to the board and is a long-term supporter and champion of AICO. AICO welcomes Michael to the Board and wishes him well in this important new role fighting adult film piracy.
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.
AICO HOLOGRAMS
AICO distributor members have affixed over 4.5 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.
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| Date :2010-03-04 00:00:00 |
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