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Italian Guardia di Finanza investigation uncovers sophisticated fraud of Sky Italia & Mediaset

AAPA

15th March 2016

PRESS RELEASE La Spezia, March 11, 2015

OPERATION "FIRST RUN" (the meaning was “first movie release in cinemas” – Prima visione)

TAX and FINANCE POLICE UNIT OF LA SPEZIA, COORDINATED BY DR. LUCA MONTEVERDE, PROSECUTOR AT THE LOCAL ATTORNEY, LEADING TO WIDE INVESTIGATION UNMASKING A SOPHISTICATED MECHANISM OF FRAUD AGAINST "SKY" and "Mediaset"companies.

Starting from information acquired in the course of the economic control of the territory, the Italian Tax Police Unit launched a specific investigation, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor, which identified a subject in the city La Spezia in possession of a sophisticated software system and hardware devices capable of receiving unlawfully encrypted signals emitted by "SKY" and "Mediaset" to provide it directly to the home of his "customers".

All devices were seized during the house search.

In exchange for a monthly fee of 20 Euro, the "customers" could benefit from the use of subscriptions "full" on both television platforms, either by the mechanism called "CARD-SHARING" or means of receiving "IP-TV" signal.

The investigations, also performed with the aid of computer consultants of the companies, Mediaset and Sky, as well as exposing the fraudulent conduct of that person, has identified a large network of clients managed by the same person, as the "owner" and "reseller", branched throughout the national territory.

The evidence gathered allowed the Guardia di Finanza to ascertain that the subject had been carrying out the illegal activity for at least eight months. During the period he accumulated estimated profits for about 50,000 Euros and caused economic harm to Sky and Mediaset of nearly half a million euros in loss of revenues.

The Guardia di Finanzia identified 240 users of the service, also reported to the Judicial Authority of the additional 23 prosecutors competent for the place of the offence, located in 12 regions of the national territory, in breach of Article. 171-g L. 633/41, for the protection of copyright.

If found guilty the suspects face up to three years in prison and a 25,000 euros fine.

The violation of copyright damages the market in which opportunities and work of companies that abide by the rules, the respect of which, even in the economic field, is a fundamental condition for attracting investment and boosting development and growth.

Against the owner of the network has also challenged the art.171-ter L. 633/41, violation that provides, if convicted, imprisonment up to four years and more than 15,000 euros in fines.

The investigations have revealed that the source of the encrypted signals were located in some servers located in France. In this regard, investigations are continuing in order to coordinate information-investigation outside the Italian borders.

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Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 1 October 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) publishes its first Manifesto, linked here . The document aims to recognise past efforts of EU legislators when it comes to content protection and the fight against copyright infringement, whilst admitting that more can and should be done to address this growing issue. Miruna Herovanu, Executive Director of AAPA said : " After years of laying the groundwork to combat online piracy it’s time for EU policymakers and beyond to fully acknowledge that decisive, targeted measures are needed at the European level. The rise of digital theft demands action. We call for strong political resolve to end the theft of our members' content. We're ready to support every stakeholder—law enforcement, policymakers, and industry representatives—to dismantle criminal networks and protect European consumers from harm."

AAPA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by AAPA • 28 May 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) has announced the appointment of Miruna Herovanu as its Executive Director. Miruna was previously the Director at the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand in Europe in charge of Intellectual Property and Competition policies. She took up her position with AAPA on 27 May 2024 and will be based in Brussels. Miruna will replace Sheila Cassells who is retiring as Executive Vice President of AAPA and will report on a day-to-day basis to the two Co-Presidents, Mark Mulready, VP of Cyber Services at Irdeto and Oliver Pribramksy, Head of IP Protection and Committees at the Deutsche Fussball Liga. She will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy agreed by AAPA members, managing relationships with law enforcement agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, INTERPOL and the European Institutions, delivery of AAPA’s Working Group goals and general management of the Alliance. Mark Mulready said that: “We are delighted to appoint someone of Miruna’s calibre and experience to become the Executive Director of AAPA. Miruna’s commitment to copyright protection is well-known. Her knowledge of the Brussels institutions and the EUIPO will stand AAPA in good stead for future policy developments. A priority will be for Miruna to work closely with AAPA members, the EUIPO and the European Institutions to deliver on, inter alia, the goals of combatting online piracy of sports and other live events recommendation.” Miruna Herovanu commented that: “My professional experience demonstrated that piracy is an ever-growing issue that eats at the heart of Europe’s most important industries. This is a golden opportunity and a new professional challenge that will help further develop my passion for and commitment to protecting copyright. Being able to work with and support industry experts and practitioners in AAPA, law enforcement, the European Institutions and other trade associations is essential to the fight against piracy. I am excited to be taking on this role.”