Who are we?

The Federation Against Copyright Theft is the United Kingdom’s leading trade organisation established to protect and represent the interests of the film and broadcasting industry against copyright and trademark infringements. Established in 1983, FACT works closely with statutory law enforcement agencies to combat the growth of pirate DVDs, film and other forms of broadcast material including the increasing threat from online/internet-based piracy. FACT has been accepted as a prosecution authority and engages in criminal prosecutions in its own right.

FACT plays a key role in creating awareness of the dangers associated with DVD piracy and the growing threat from online piracy.

DVD/film piracy is a criminal offence and is punishable by a maximum 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

In this fight, FACT works closely with police services, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and most recently with the Department for Work and Pensions, right across the UK.

In combating this form of serious crime, which is often linked to other forms of criminality, FACT would like to acknowledge and put on record its appreciation of their work.

Film piracy in the UK is:

• A business generating over £300m a year for criminals
• A crime which affects other people and the wider community – involving benefit fraud, people smuggling, drugs and other serious criminality
• A real crime, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment

The seemingly innocent purchase of a cheap DVD from an irregular source can therefore have far reaching effects.

“DVD and online piracy must be recognised as a crime of growing national significance. In 2005 alone FACT seized over 2 million pirate DVDs and our in house forensic services team assisted the Police, Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs in examining close to 1 million DVDs.

Our aim is to help create an effective deterrent to film piracy in the UK by increasing public awareness of this type of criminal activity that can have a destructive influence on local communities.

Through our technical and forensic capabilities FACT continues to support law enforcement agencies to increase the number of investigations of the principal figures involved and to squeeze and close down their sales and distribution networks.

With your help and support we can do more.”

Raymond Leinster
Director General
Federation Against Copyright Theft