In first for SA director convicted for distributing film piracy devices

15 April, 2016 - 06:51

Jacque Hilbert a director of AVSupply was sentenced to a fine of R20 000 in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Court on March 31. He was one of four people arrested during a series of raids in joint operations between the Police and The South African Federation Against Copyright Theft (SAFACT).

The guilty plea was entered on Sec 86(4) of the ETC Act that criminalise the utilization of a device or computer program in order to overcome security measures designed to protect data or access thereto. The sentence was suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of contravening the provisions of section 86 of the ECT Act again.

All the devices that were seized were forfeited to the state and will be destroyed. The value of the confiscated items is estimated at approximately R 80 000 SAFACT said.

It welcomed the sentence and commended the National Prosecution Authority ICASA and the South African Police Services for this success which it described as a huge breakthrough in the ongoing fight against piracy in South Africa.

SAFACT's Managing Director Jacques Allers said that the fight would go on against any person or business that was involved in the distribution of devices that facilitated piracy.

Several more cases were being investigated and several more were in the pipeline he said.

We can only hope that this conviction will serve its purpose to deter others from this or similar crimes relating to the creative and entertainment industries.

http://www.timeslive.co.za

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