Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 5

Written Answers. - Video Piracy.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

44 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on the extent of video piracy which is estimated to cost the video trade £18 million; and the steps, if any, he is taking to eradicate this problem. [10758/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I am aware of the problem raised by the Deputy. The figure mentioned by him corresponds to audio-visual industry estimates submitted to my Department and, if accurate, is deeply disturbing.

The Government is anxious to address this problem and, in the context of the comprehensive review of copyright being undertaken by my Department, will examine the penalties for copyright infringement and their effectiveness in inhibiting unlicensed copying for gain. It may well be that the existing penalties are far too low and need revision so that pirates regard the penalties as serious inhibitors to crime rather than slight impediments to their activities as they appear to think.

The criminal provisions outlined in section 92 of the Trade Marks Act, 1996 would appear to provide a useful template in this regard. The Government is also examining tightening up the existing copyright law to ensure that those engaged in unlicensed copying and the distribution and sale of unlicensed copies for profit will not be able to use the law and its current requirements that knowledge of an offence must be proved in order to escape legitimate penalties.

The Government regards the eradication of unlicensed copying in all sectors of the economy, not just the audiovisual sector, as a priority. The negative impact on legitimate traders, and the revenues lost to the Exchequer, form the basis of our need to deal with this matter urgently. The new Copyright Bill, which will have to be discussed in both Houses of the Oireachtas, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the activity of large-scale unlicensed copying for the purpose of profit is halted.