RIAA COMMENDS NYPD ON ANTI-PIRACY ACTIONS
Recording Industry Investigators Assist Law Enforcement in Raid
Resulting inthe Seizure of 25,000 Counterfeit CD-Rs, Nine Arrests
WASHINGTON - [Investigators from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today assisted the New York Police Department (NYPD) with an investigation into a group of illegal music distributors that had been operating from inside a storage facility located at 9-11 West 141st Street in Manhattan. The investigation led to the execution of multiple search warrants in several storage units that contained more than 25,000 counterfeit CD-Rs and 35,000 counterfeit DVDs. Nine individuals were arrested and charged with Trademark Counterfeiting in the 2nd degree and failure to disclose the origin of a recording in the 1st degree. In response, the RIAA issued the following statement from Brad Buckles, Executive Vice President for Anti-Piracy.]
"Once again, the NYPD has demonstrated a solid commitment to eradicating the tremendous piracy problem that continues to plague our streets. The only way to beat this problem is to attack it persistently with a strong, united front. The success of today's operation should send a clear message to all those engaged in the illegal music trade: piracy is theft and will be treated with zero tolerance."
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States.
In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conduct consumer industry and technical research; and monitor and review - - state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond® sales awards, and recently launched Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, a new award celebrating Latin music sales.