The City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) arrested a 35 year old man in Maidenhead on suspicion of copyright offences.

The 35 year old man who was arrested on 17th Novemeber has since been bailed until a date in January 2017.

The arrest follows a copy of the film Brotherhood starring Noel Clarke, being available to buy on the dark web weeks before the scheduled home release.

Detectives from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit have seized computers and counterfeit goods from the address following the arrest.

Detective Inspector Michael Dodge of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit said: “Protecting the creative industries is of paramount importance to the UK and the Government estimates that it contributes £84.1 billion to the economy.

“Intellectual property crime is not a victimless crime as not only do hundreds of thousands of jobs rely on it but the money made funds organised crime groups that can also be involved in people and drug trafficking”

Producer Jason Maza comments “The importance of protecting film from theft is something I have always felt strongly about as without it the industry has no future.

“I’m so happy that the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) and Entura were able to act so quickly to stop this thief in their tracks and hope that this arrest acts as a warning to those out there considering such behavior in the future.”

FACT welcomes this swift action by PIPCU to protect not only the film industry, but the wider creative industries. You can read all about our latest partnership action with PIPCU here.