"I think it's a strong message that if you try to do something like Geremi Adam did, you will face the consequences. You could go to jail," said crown prosecutor Josee Belanger.

Operating under the alias maVen, Adam was accused of uploading some of the highest quality pirated films on the internet.

In 2006, he was arrested twice for filming movies in a Quebec cinema using a camcorder. He was arrested again in 2008 for the same offence, but by this time Canada had introduced a law which made recording a movie without permission a crime punishable by two years in jail. Attempting to commercially exploit that film raises that penalty to five years.

During his trial, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the FBI pointed to Adam as the main movie pirate in Montreal, a hotbed for bootleg DVD making.

"We are pleased that the court proceedings acknowledged the seriousness of the offence and the negative impact of Mr Adam's actions," said Patrick Roy, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Vivafilm, and vice-chairman of the Canadian Association of Film Distributors & Exporters. "Film theft costs jobs and affects thousands of Canadians who make their livelihoods in the movie business or in related industries."

Having been in custody since 12 January, Adam will not serve any more time in prison. However he will be prohibited from entering a movie theatre anywhere in Canada for two years, and from possessing any recording device outside his home or at his place of work. He is also required to forfeit the equipment used in committing the offence as well as to complete 100 hours of community service.

26 March 2010 - Canada

Source: IP World, March 2010

PHAM & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM