Copyright Research

Copyright research
In the global economy, intellectual property rights have never been more valuable, or potentially at risk.

As director Peter Jackson has pointed out: 'Piracy has the very real potential of tipping movies into becoming an unprofitable industry, especially big event films.' All copyright infringements direct revenue from production, distribution, exhibition and retail – reducing income from legitimate sales. We work with government, the film industry and other interested parties to help protect and promote copyright in our industry.

The scale of the problem

In 2006 the audio visual sector lost an estimated £459 million due to copyright infringements, with film losing £338 million. The estimated loss of £102 million in cinema admissions equates to 13.4% of the legal market in the UK. An estimated loss of £238 million DVD retail sales equates to 15% of the legitimate market.

Market research carried out in 2006 found that:

• 26% of the UK population had acquired or viewed pirate film material.
• Criminal gain from counterfeit and home-copied DVDs was worth an estimated £169 million.
• The proportion of people downloading and burning films increased by 26% from 2005 to 2006.
• Copyright Enforcement 

• The Federation Against Copyright Theft – Established in 1983, FACT works closely with statutory law enforcement agencies to combat the growth of pirate DVDs and other broadcast material, including online/internet piracy. FACT is accepted as a prosecution authority in its own right and facilitates investigation and prosecution. The FACT Accreditation Scheme provides a benchmark of security standards for film companies.
• The UK IP Office – the official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property rights in the UK. The IP office is an Executive Agency of the Department of Innovation.
• The Trading Standards Institute – a professional association that promotes and protects economic growth by empowering consumers, encouraging honest business practices and targeting rogue traders.