The international recording industry has welcomed the decision by international police organisation Interpol to create a working group to handle investigations into intellectual property (or IP) crimes. They say the move recognises the involvement of serious and organised criminal involvement in IP crimes and the need for industry to work in close cooperation with police, customs and other enforcement authorities to combat it.
The new group will deal with intellectual property theft across the board, covering clothes, trainers, medicines, machine parts, CDs and books to mention but a few. Piracy is a big issue for the record industry trade bodies, of course, with recent reports suggesting two in every five recordings sold globally are pirate copies. The working group will function as a forum for the exchange of information on IP offences, it will facilitation investigations around the world and will also offer training support in the area to any officials working on IP cases. The group will draw its membership from public and private sectors including the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Ron Noble, Interpol's Secretary General told reporters: "Interpol recognises the extensive involvement of organised crime and terrorist groups in intellectual property crimes. There is a real need for facilitation and coordination of international police efforts in combating this criminality, which operates across international borders and has very serious consequences for the public. Working in partnership with customs authorities, international agencies and the private sector, Interpol will provide an effective response to this growing threat."
Iain Grant, IFPI at Head of Enforcement added: "We warmly welcome this initiative. Ultimately, the way to effectively fight the spread of music piracy, and dismantle the criminal enterprises behind it, is to work in partnership with international police, customs and other enforcement authorities."
More info from Fiona Harley at the IFPI London office on 020 7878 7900.