Following a huge haul of pirate Croatian CDs in August 2007, the Victorian P oli ce have today raided the residential premises of another large scale pirate Croatian music seller at Taylor Lakes , Melbourne .  Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) assisted the Keilor Downs Criminal Investigation Unit seize over 3,000 pirate Croatian CDs, blank media and extensive computer burning and printing equipment.  Cus tom er order lists were also seized.

The investigation was commenced after the Victorian P oli ce seized approximately 5,000 burnt Croatian CDs and extensive computer burning equipment from a woman’s home in Cheltenham, Melbourne in August.  Following widespread media attention, MIPI received a large number of piracy reports from the general public pointing to the pirate seller at Taylor Lakes .  The male seller was allegedly manufacturing pirate discs in a purpose built area in his home and selling them at local church markets and through cus tom ized orders.

Sabiene Heindl , General Manager of MIPI welcomed the Victorian P oli ce’s commitment to intellectual property enforcement in conducting the raid on another music pirate specialising in Croatian music.  She stated “Intellectual property and its protection are essential to secure sustained development in the creative industries, particularly music.  People that seek commercial gain by pirating music are blatantly exploiting the creativity of others.  We applaud the actions of the Victorian P oli ce and MIPI will continue to work with them to bring intellectual property thieves to justice.”

The pirate CDs seized feature unauthorised recordings of popular Croatian artists including Thompson, Matko Jelavic and Zlatko Pejakovic. 

MIPI encourages consumers who believe they may have purchased or come across pirate music to come forward and report it through a toll-free hotline (1800 06 16 16) or through MIPI’s website at www.mipi.com.au.  

Penalties for copyright infringement are up to $60,500 and 5 years imprisonment per offence.  A man in his late 50s is assisting Victorian P oli ce with their enquiries.

About MIPI

Music Industry Piracy Investigations Pty Ltd (www.mipi.com.au) is the anti-piracy organisation for the Australian music industry. MIPI members include large and small music labels through their association ARIA and singers and songwriters through their associations APRA I AMCOS.