Russian plant agrees substantial settlement with international recording industry

LONDON, UK (IFPI) - Russia's Roff Technologies optical disc plant has agreed a substantial settlement with international recording industry body IFPI and eight member company plaintiffs over the manufacture of counterfeit CDs containing repertoire by major international artists.

Settling the case out of court, Roff admitted to having infringed neighbouring rights in the past. The agreement brings to a halt civil court proceedings, which had been brought by IFPI member companies in January 2004.

Civil action against CD plants is just one part of the record industry's strategy in Russia. The industry's top priority is stronger cooperation from the Russian authorities in the fight against piracy. Specifically, there needs to be effective regulation of the country's optical disc manufacturing plants; effective investigation and prosecution of pirates by the enforcement agencies; and real deterrent criminal penalties when convicted pirates are sentenced in court.

Lauri Rechardt, IFPI Director of Licensing and Litigation said: "We hope this substantial settlement will be a warning to CD plants in Russia and elsewhere who fail to take the necessary safeguards against copyright infringements by their plants.

"However, civil lawsuits alone will not solve Russia's chronic piracy problem. Urgent action from the Government is even more important. That means proper CD plant regulation, effective enforcement and deterrent penalties against pirates."
For further information please contact: Adrian Strain or Fiona Harley at IFPI Communications on tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900.