GAME CUBE CRIMINAL CONVICTED
Wednesday 22nd February 2006/... A Staffordshire shop owner has been ordered to serve 240 hours community service and pay £3,310 in court costs, following his conviction for video game piracy.
Stuart Eardley (38) of Elizabeth Drive, Chesterton in Newcastle-under-Lyme was sentenced by the Honourable Judge Orrell at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 13th February. He was targeted as part of a joint operation by ELSPA, Staffordshire Trading Standards and the local Police back in 2005 for manufacturing and selling counterfeit games.
His shop, 'Media Weeble', and his home address were searched by officers revealing 220 copied Game Cube discs, along with a number of pirate PS2, Xbox and PC discs. It was the first time ever that ELSPA had seized counterfeit Game Cube discs.
Michael Rawlinson, deputy director general of ELSPA stated: "This case highlights the very real threat of criminal prosecution and a criminal record to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal copying of computer and video games. ELSPA thanks all those involved for the successful resolution of this investigation."
EDITORS NOTES:
About ELSPA - http://www.elspa.com
ELSPA (The Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the computer and video games industry. Membership includes almost all companies concerned with the publishing and distribution of interactive leisure software in the UK.
About Software Piracy and its negative impact on both consumers and industry ELSPA estimates criminal gain through computer and video games piracy sits at approximately £540 million.
Piracy/counterfeiting is illegal and punishable by fines and jail sentences.
The illegal copying of software poses the very real threat of criminal prosecution and a criminal record, as well as the risk of massive personal financial loss under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Consumers have no recourse under law for faulty pirated games, which can damage hardware.
Counterfeited/pirated games are often mixed with obscene or pornographic material.
Local and national jobs are lost as result of pirate operations.
Proven links exist between many organised counterfeiting organisations and dealers in drugs and pornography.
For further information on ELSPA or to arrange interviews, please contact:
EMMA COWIE/ HEATHER WILKINS
BARRINGTON HARVEY
Tel: 01462 456780
Fax: 01462 456781
Email: emma.cowie@bhpr.co.uk/ heather.wilkins@bhpr.co.uk
Issued by: Barrington Harvey, Trooper's Yard, Bancroft, Hitchin SG5 1JW