Eddy Leviten, Chief Operating Officer at FACT, talks to Crimestoppers Connections Magazine on why partnering with Crimestoppers has proven so successful.
Since its inception in 1983, FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) have been the guardian of the UK’s film and television industry, a relentless force against copyright infringement.
With the streaming era’s rise, we’ve transformed, teaming up with major broadcasters and sports leagues to combat online piracy.
Today, FACT stands tall as an IP protection pioneer, renowned for its cutting-edge strategies.
In 2007, FACT started a successful partnership with Crimestoppers. This relationship revolutionised the fight against film and television piracy in the UK.
Swapping old-school hotlines for Crimestoppers’ anonymous reporting made us more efficient and delivered better intelligence. From targeting bootleg DVDs to tackling the digital wave, 99% of our intel now zeroes in on online piracy.
Largest prosecution ever
The numbers speak volumes: In 2023, over 600 Crimestoppers reports flooded in about illegal content suppliers affiliated with FACT. A whopping 30% of our actionable intelligence stemmed from these reports, fuelling 1 in 5 investigations. We’ve even trained Crimestoppers’ Call Agents, turning them into intel-savvy allies.
Collaborating with law enforcement partners across the UK and worldwide, we’ve brought down major piracy rings, like ‘Flawless,’ a case that stemmed from information provided by Crimestoppers and which resulted in five individuals being jailed for a total of 30 years. It was thought to be the largest-ever prosecution of an illegal streaming network.
Why does this matter? Because intellectual property theft isn’t a harmless crime. It’s a threat to 2.1 million jobs and 7.4% of the UK economy tied to the creative industries. Crimestoppers’ intel isn’t just data; it’s the lifeblood of our work, powering investigations and sealing piracy’s fate.
And we’re not stopping there. Expanding our partnership to target illicit vape suppliers, we’re collaborating with industry giants to curb counterfeit vapes’ impact on society.
An indispensable partnership
Looking ahead to 2024, we’re amplifying our arsenal, fortifying our bond with Crimestoppers. Together, we’ll enhance due diligence, bolster digital forensics, and intensify investigations. Our partnership isn’t just a collaboration, it represents an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice.
FACT and Crimestoppers: a partnership that’s not just impactful but indispensable. Here’s to 17 years of triumph and a future forged in solidarity against crime.
Read the Spring edition of Connections HERE
