AfterDawn: News

The Court of Appeal in Naples has imposed jail sentences on several members of an organized gang involved in a major music piracy case since the late 90s. The case stems back to the arrest of the gang members in 1999 after an investigation carried out by Luciano D'Angelo, the district anti-mafia attorney, and the police, with the assistance of the Italian music industry's anti-piracy unit, FPM.

The head of the organization, "A.C.", was known as "The Emperor" because of his influence in the counterfeit music business in Naples in the 90s. The appeal sentence is the final decision in a seven year legal battle that has seen FIMI (Italian recording industry body), and record companies including EMI Music Italy, Universal Music Italy, Sony BMG Italy and Warner Music Italy acting as plaintiffs.



"A.C." was found guilty and sentenced to three years and six months in jail for conspiracy to violate the copyright law. Seven other members of the gang faced prison sentences of between one year and six months and three years. They now face a separate civil claim and will have to pay damages to the plaintiffs.

Source:
Press Release

Written by: James Delahunty @ 12 Mar 2007 18:55