RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
Arkansas | California | Connecticut | Georgia | Illinois | Kentucky | Maryland | New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas
Arkansas
February 17, 2006 – The Fort Smith Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant and seized a pound of marijuana and 633 piratical CD-R from the owner of the residence. The suspect was arrested and has charges pending for narcotics and violation of the Arkansas Actual Name and Address Statute.
California
February 2006 – During the month of February, law enforcement officers arrested 68 music pirates engaged in the sale of counterfeit goods. The Los Angeles Police Department topped the chart for most handcuff actions during the month with arrests from other branches including the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, the Mountain View Police Department, Sacramento PD, Anaheim PD, Buena Park PD, Costa Mesa PD, Orange PD, Santa Ana PD, Ontario PD, Chino PD, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernadino PD, Calexico PD and the San Diego PD. More than 37,000 counterfeit/piratical music CDs and CD-Rs were seized by police and/or recovered by RIAA investigators during the enforcement actions. RIAA investigators supplemented law enforcement arrests with civil enforcement actions taken in February against twelve music retail stores in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.
Connecticut
February 9, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the Waterbury Police Department in the execution of a search warrant at a retail music store on Main Street also operating as a CD burning lab resulting in one arrest and the seizure of six CD-R burners and 2,250 piratical CD-Rs.
Georgia
February 5, 2006 – The Jefferson Police Department seized 3,046 counterfeit CDs from the Pendergrass Flea Market.
Illinois
February 26, 2006 – RIAA and MPAA investigators assisted Chicago Police with the execution of a search warrant at the home of a manufacturer, who is also a recidivist. Officers contacted RIAA and MPAA investigators after receiving the information from a confidential informant. RIAA investigators and police confiscated 1,479 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, 1,273 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs, 23 CD-R burners, three boxes of empty CD & DVD jewel cases and three printer/scanners. A large quantity of marijuana was also confiscated from the home. The suspect was arrested and charged accordingly.
February 26, 2006 – A bad beat tip received by the RIAA regarding a Chicago retail store selling counterfeit items lead to a seizure by the Chicago Police Department. Confiscated during this enforcement action were a total of 2,122 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, 728 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs and 28 CD/DVD burners. RIAA investigators and confidential informants made several undercover buys at the location before informing the Chicago police.
Kentucky
February 2, 2006 – The Lexington Police Department executed a search warrant after receiving information of a possible burner lab operation. Upon entry into the suspect’s residence, three CD-R burners, 291 Pirated CD-Rs and 17 counterfeit movie DVDs were seized. The owner confessed to the manufacturing and distribution of the items and was charged under Kentucky’s True Name and Address Statute.
Maryland
February 17, 2006 – A Baltimore man was found guilty of one count of TNA in Maryland State District Court and sentenced to six months in jail. The conviction was the result of the defendant’s arrest in July of 2005 after the Baltimore City Police Department observed the defendant selling counterfeit CDs out the back of his vehicle. A total of 1,171 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 176 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs were seized at the time of arrest.
New Jersey
February 18, 2006 – A Wildwood hair salon owner was arrested after Wildwood Police Department executed a search warrant at the business. Police seized 1,980 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 1,792 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs.
New York
February 20, 2006 – The Suffolk County Police Department’s 1st Precinct Crime Section, along with the RIAA, executed a search warrant at a burner lab located at 325 Merritt Ave in Wyandanch, resulting in the arrest of one suspect who is known to be a gang member. Seized from the lab were five CD-R burners, 1,050 piratical CD-Rs, 255 counterfeit music DVDs, two printers, 111 master CDs, 200 blank CD-Rs, $20,000 in US currency and 140 counterfeit movie DVDs as well as other trademarks that included Duracell Batteries, Nike and Reebok.
February 16, 2006 – The New York Police Department’s Organized Crimes Investigations Division Unit executed a search warrant on Broadway in New York City. As a result of this enforcement action, one suspect was arrested and 6,300 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, 600 counterfeit music DVDs and 7,004 counterfeit movie DVDs were seized.
February 15, 2006 – The New York Police Department’s 28th Precinct, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant at a CD burner lab and a distribution operation located on 7th Avenue in New York City. As a result of these enforcement actions, three suspects were apprehended and seven towers containing 44 (52X) CD burners were seized. Also confiscated during the search were 16,000 counterfeit CD-Rs, 11,800 piratical CD-Rs, a printer, one shrink wrap machine, one heat gun, two boxes of raw materials, inserts and one box of CD Masters.
February 13, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the New York Police Department’s 13th Precinct in the execution of a search warrant on West 29th St in New York City. This action resulted in the seizure of 12,200 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 4,000 counterfeit movie DVDs.
February 9, 2006 – The United States Probation and Parole Department, while conducting a search on a supervised parolee, observed an active burner lab resulting in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 20 CD-R burners, 307 counterfeit music DVDs, 54 counterfeit CD-Rs, 74 piratical CD-Rs, 304 counterfeit movie DVDs, one computer, one printer and various raw material.
February 9, 2006 – The New York Police Department’s 13th Precinct executed a search warrant on 5th Avenue in New York City that resulted in the seizure of 7,938 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 5,450 counterfeit movie DVDs.
February 8, 2006 – RIAA investigators assisted the New York Police Department’s Organized Crimes Investigations Division to execute a search warrant at 247 West 35th Street in New York City. This action resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 8,300 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 8,300 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs.
North Carolina
February 7, 2006 – The Burke County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a possible burner lab. Investigators obtained consent to search the residence in question and confiscated four CD-R burners, 12 piratical CD-Rs, 227 counterfeit movie DVDs as well as various labels, blank media and other raw materials. The occupants were charged with a combination of charges including True Name and Address violations, Counterfeit Trademark violations and manufacturing illegal product. One of the suspects was also charged with possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon.
February 4, 2006 – The Gastonia Police Department and Gaston County Police, acting upon a tip provided by the RIAA, executed a search warrant on a local business. Upon gaining entry, authorities located 33 CD-R burners, 1,782 piratical CD-Rs and 602 counterfeit DVDs. The owner has been arrested twice previously for the illegal distribution of illegal recordings within the past year and a half.
February 1, 2006 – The Greensboro Police Department initiated a vehicle stop on I-40 and uncovered a mobile burner operation while conducting a search of the vehicle. Officers seized 261 pirated CD-Rs, 949 counterfeit movie DVDs and one CD-R Burner. The operator of the vehicle admitted to making unauthorized recordings while in his vehicle.
Ohio
February 14, 2006 – RIAA and MPAA investigators, along with the Warren Police Dept. conducted a raid at the Warren Flea Market in Ohio. Three vendors were arrested and 1,207 counterfeit CD-Rs and 1,489 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs were seized. The owner and manager of the flea market are scheduled for training by the RIAA on how to identify counterfeit CDs and DVDs.
Pennsylvania
February 26, 2006 – RIAA and MPAA investigators assisted Chicago Police with the execution of a search warrant at the home of a manufacturer who is also a recidivist. Investigators and police confiscated 1,479 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs, 1,273 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs, 23 CD-R burners, three boxes of empty CD & DVD jewel cases and three printer/scanners. A large quantity of Marijuana was also confiscated from the home. The suspect was arrested and charged accordingly.
February 23, 2006 – Philadelphia police, assisted by RIAA & MPAA investigators, executed a search warrant on a distribution location in Philadelphia. Seized were 4,302 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs and 5,545 counterfeit movie DVD-Rs. The distributor was arrested and charged accordingly. RIAA investigators had been investigating this location since December of 2005; surveillance and evidence purchases had been made on several occasions before police were notified.
Texas
February 4, 2006 – Voluntary surrenders were conducted against street vendors located on Columbia Avenue and Second Avenue in Dallas. Surrendered by two vendors as a result were a total of 2,466 piratical CD-Rs.