BRUSSELS -- Seizures of counterfeit movies, music and software plummeted by half last year, according to a European Commission report released Friday.
But the EC said the drop in the number of seizures reflects the rapid changes in modern technology, with a large share of business now shifting from the physical piracy of CDs and DVDs to Internet downloads.
"The key is to be faster than the counterfeiters," European Union Taxation and Customs commissioner Laszlo Kovacs warned. "We must quickly identify, and act to deal with, new routes of fraud and constantly changing counterfeit patterns."
Kovacs said that the public had a major role to play in combating counterfeiting. "If there is no demand, there is no supply," he said, warning that anyone who bought a pirated DVD or a fake handbag was funding criminals who also made potentially lethal drugs.
The report reveals that the number of DVDs, CDs, cassettes and software seized in 2005 was 9.7 million, representing 13% of all items seized by EU authorities -- 52% of the 2004 figure. In terms of cases registered by EU customs officials, the figure was 1,569, some 6% of the total.
The main sources of seized music, movies and software were China at 51%, followed by Switzerland at 19%, Hong Kong at 12% and Singapore at 7%. In case terms, China was again at the top, representing 22%, followed by Thailand (20%), Indonesia (10%) and Hong Kong (7%).
The EC launched a new action plan on customs this past November and Kovacs said that a number of concrete actions have already been taken as a result of the plan. Customs officials from across the EU have worked together on a number of targeted raids at ports and airports, leading to a large increase in the number of goods uncovered, he said, while an anti-counterfeit taskforce has been created to improve targeted counterfeiting efforts.
A business-customs working group also has been established to exchange information about trafficking trends, the commissioner said, and efforts are underway across the EU and other countries -- notably the U.S. and China -- to ensure stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry warned that the drop in seizures was no reason for complacency. "These figures point to the continuing threat of piracy to the creative industries in Europe," IFPI said.
With China representing over half of pirate seizures, it underlined the importance of the EU maintaining pressure on China to improve its enforcement of intellectual property rights, the IFPI said.
"IFPI estimates the overall value of the global traffic of illegal CDs at €3.5 billion ($4.5 billion)," it said. "An estimated total of 1.2 billion fake CDs were sold in 2005, meaning that more than one in three CDs sold worldwide is a pirate copy."
The group also warned that Internet piracy continues to be a threat to legitimate online services, with an estimated 20 billion songs illegally swapped or downloaded worldwide.
But the EC said the drop in the number of seizures reflects the rapid changes in modern technology, with a large share of business now shifting from the physical piracy of CDs and DVDs to Internet downloads.
"The key is to be faster than the counterfeiters," European Union Taxation and Customs commissioner Laszlo Kovacs warned. "We must quickly identify, and act to deal with, new routes of fraud and constantly changing counterfeit patterns."
Kovacs said that the public had a major role to play in combating counterfeiting. "If there is no demand, there is no supply," he said, warning that anyone who bought a pirated DVD or a fake handbag was funding criminals who also made potentially lethal drugs.
The report reveals that the number of DVDs, CDs, cassettes and software seized in 2005 was 9.7 million, representing 13% of all items seized by EU authorities -- 52% of the 2004 figure. In terms of cases registered by EU customs officials, the figure was 1,569, some 6% of the total.
The main sources of seized music, movies and software were China at 51%, followed by Switzerland at 19%, Hong Kong at 12% and Singapore at 7%. In case terms, China was again at the top, representing 22%, followed by Thailand (20%), Indonesia (10%) and Hong Kong (7%).
The EC launched a new action plan on customs this past November and Kovacs said that a number of concrete actions have already been taken as a result of the plan. Customs officials from across the EU have worked together on a number of targeted raids at ports and airports, leading to a large increase in the number of goods uncovered, he said, while an anti-counterfeit taskforce has been created to improve targeted counterfeiting efforts.
A business-customs working group also has been established to exchange information about trafficking trends, the commissioner said, and efforts are underway across the EU and other countries -- notably the U.S. and China -- to ensure stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry warned that the drop in seizures was no reason for complacency. "These figures point to the continuing threat of piracy to the creative industries in Europe," IFPI said.
With China representing over half of pirate seizures, it underlined the importance of the EU maintaining pressure on China to improve its enforcement of intellectual property rights, the IFPI said.
"IFPI estimates the overall value of the global traffic of illegal CDs at €3.5 billion ($4.5 billion)," it said. "An estimated total of 1.2 billion fake CDs were sold in 2005, meaning that more than one in three CDs sold worldwide is a pirate copy."
The group also warned that Internet piracy continues to be a threat to legitimate online services, with an estimated 20 billion songs illegally swapped or downloaded worldwide.
- 11/10/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BRUSSELS -- The European Union and China on Tuesday announced plans to introduce "smart and safe" trade lanes in a bid to counter rampant piracy. The two sides agreed to boost vigilance along sea routes carrying goods between the global trade partners, and backed an immediate pilot project between ports in Holland's Rotterdam, Britain's Felixstowe and China's Shenzhen. The project, which will involve high-tech electronic customs systems, "will serve as a model for other EU countries," EU customs commissioner Laszlo Kovacs said after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Mu Xinsheng.
- 9/19/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BRUSSELS -- Value-added tax rules on television and radio broadcasting in the European Union will be extended through the end of 2008, an additional two and a half years, under European Commission plans unveiled Tuesday. The measures, which fall under the EU's e-commerce VAT directive of 2002, were due to expire in July. Without this extension, EU broadcasters would have been subject to VAT even for broadcasts outside the EU. They also would face competition within the EU from broadcasters in countries that would not be subject to VAT at all. EU taxation commissioner Laszlo Kovacs appealed to EU governments to confirm the extension as soon as possible.
- 5/16/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BRUSSELS -- DVDs, CDs, MP3 players and game consoles were among the more than 2 million items seized by European Union customs officers in a campaign against Chinese piracy, it was announced Tuesday. The Operation FAKE campaign involved the customs authorities of all 25 EU member countries as well as the European Commission, the EU's executive authority. Operation FAKE took place over 10 days in May and resulted in the seizure of almost 500 tons of fake goods, the commission said. Coordinated by the commission's tax and customs department and its anti-fraud office, it involved more than 250 customs officers seizing 140 air consignments and 60 containers. EU customs commissioner Laszlo Kovacs said the operation showed how the different EU and national authorities could work successfully to fight international organized crime.
- 11/8/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Laszlo Kovacs, Vilmos Zsigmond, Gyorgy Illes and Janos Toth are the first recipients of The Legend Award from the Hungarian Society of Cinematographers. Illes is a prominent Hungarian cinematographer who mentored Kovacs and Zsigmond when they were students at the Academy of Drama and Film in Budapest. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the two cinematographers' perilous escape from their native land after the Russian army crushed a popular uprising against the communist regime in November 1956. The award was created to honor DPs whose lives and notable bodies of work are an inspiration to filmmakers. The awards will be presented during the fifth annual Golden Eye National Festival of Cinematography Art in Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 29.
- 10/9/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, whose credits range from Easy Rider to Miss Congeniality, will judge the 2004 Kodak Filmschool Competition for students and recent graduates in the Asia Pacific and Latin American countries. The annual competition is designed to recognize and provide tangible support for talented young people who are pursuing careers as cinematographers. The top prize for winners in each region is a trip to next year's Festival de Cannes, where clips of their films will be screened at the annual Kodak Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. The winners also will participate in seminars and other activities organized by Kodak.
- 12/22/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Jack Frost" is nipping at our heartstrings in an affectionate family film from Warner Bros. starring Michael Keaton. Warm and glowing, "Frost" should win hearts at the boxoffice and land video acclaim come this time next year.
Most appealing about this perky film is its look: Keaton plays rock star and family man Jack Frost, whose domicile is Colorado. Jack has been paying his dues in the music business, and, in this comfy situation, he's just about to make it big-time. What Jack doesn't realize, of course, is that he has already made it: He has a terrific, supportive wife, Gabby (Kelly Preston), and an adoring, energetic son, Charlie (Joseph Cross). In short, he lives in a picture postcard-perfect world but doesn't totally appreciate his blessings. In a horrible turn of fate, Jack is killed in a car crash.
The story line is prismed through the Charlie's eyes. We see the loss the young boy has felt and empathize with his difficulty in not having a father. In the comedy's smartly looped scenario, Jack reincarnates as, well, a snowman. And, for the first time, Jack becomes a real father, nurturing his young son and, for a change, supporting his wife.
With its upbeat theme and sumptuous look, "Jack Frost" undeniably hits all the right emotional notes. Kudos to director Troy Miller for bringing this tale to vital life, and the technical crew deserves especially high praise. Cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs has lensed a winning, full-framed depiction of ideal family life, and production designer Mayne Berke has filled the eye with appealing detail. Trevor Rabin's luscious music brims with cozy appeal.
Keaton is endearing as the father torn between career and family life. He shows his character's frailties while detailing his loving energy. As his caring wife, Preston is truly radiant, conveying intelligence and sincerity. Cross is truly winning as Charlie; he's both rambunctious and respectful in portraying a child groping with a great loss.
JACK FROST
Warner Bros.
An Azoff Entertainment/Canton Co. production
Producers: Mark Canton, Irving Azoff
Director: Troy Miller
Screenwriters: Mark Steven Johnson, Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts, Jeff Cesario
Executive producers: Matthew Baer, Jeff Berry, Michael Tadross
Director of photography: Laszlo Kovacs
Production designer: Mayne Berke
Editor: Lawrence Jordan
Music: Trevor Rabin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack Frost: Michael Keaton
Gabby Frost: Kelly Preston
Charlie Frost: Joseph Cross
Mac MacArthur: Mark Addy
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Most appealing about this perky film is its look: Keaton plays rock star and family man Jack Frost, whose domicile is Colorado. Jack has been paying his dues in the music business, and, in this comfy situation, he's just about to make it big-time. What Jack doesn't realize, of course, is that he has already made it: He has a terrific, supportive wife, Gabby (Kelly Preston), and an adoring, energetic son, Charlie (Joseph Cross). In short, he lives in a picture postcard-perfect world but doesn't totally appreciate his blessings. In a horrible turn of fate, Jack is killed in a car crash.
The story line is prismed through the Charlie's eyes. We see the loss the young boy has felt and empathize with his difficulty in not having a father. In the comedy's smartly looped scenario, Jack reincarnates as, well, a snowman. And, for the first time, Jack becomes a real father, nurturing his young son and, for a change, supporting his wife.
With its upbeat theme and sumptuous look, "Jack Frost" undeniably hits all the right emotional notes. Kudos to director Troy Miller for bringing this tale to vital life, and the technical crew deserves especially high praise. Cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs has lensed a winning, full-framed depiction of ideal family life, and production designer Mayne Berke has filled the eye with appealing detail. Trevor Rabin's luscious music brims with cozy appeal.
Keaton is endearing as the father torn between career and family life. He shows his character's frailties while detailing his loving energy. As his caring wife, Preston is truly radiant, conveying intelligence and sincerity. Cross is truly winning as Charlie; he's both rambunctious and respectful in portraying a child groping with a great loss.
JACK FROST
Warner Bros.
An Azoff Entertainment/Canton Co. production
Producers: Mark Canton, Irving Azoff
Director: Troy Miller
Screenwriters: Mark Steven Johnson, Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts, Jeff Cesario
Executive producers: Matthew Baer, Jeff Berry, Michael Tadross
Director of photography: Laszlo Kovacs
Production designer: Mayne Berke
Editor: Lawrence Jordan
Music: Trevor Rabin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack Frost: Michael Keaton
Gabby Frost: Kelly Preston
Charlie Frost: Joseph Cross
Mac MacArthur: Mark Addy
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 12/7/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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