Mexican Court Convicts 14 Music Pirates

Miami, FL (Top40 Charts/ IFPI) - A Mexican judge in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, has sentenced 14 music pirates to five years and three months in prison after they were found guilty of copyright infringement in violation of the Mexican Federal Criminal Code. The judge also ordered each defendant to pay a fine of approximately US$4,000. The trial took place on 15th October and was the culmination of a case that began on 20th July 2009 when the 14 individuals were arrested in an anti-piracy operation that was conducted by the Mexican Army.

During the raid, the army dismantled 16 laboratories and 23 warehouses located in Monterrey City that allegedly were under the control of a major criminal organisation, which is committed to illegal drug trafficking. The operation led to the seizure of 1,180 CD burners, 3,141,273 recorded CDRs, 3,268 blank CDs, one plotter machine, 20 automated serigraphy machines, two kilos of marijuana, one laptop, one firearm, radios, cell phones, and motor vehicles. The pirates were kept in preventive custody while awaiting trial. They are now serving their sentences in the detention center, 'Centro de Reinsercion Social' in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon.

The conviction has been warmly received by local anti-piracy group, APCM Mexico, and organisations that are involved in the battle against music piracy. It sends a clear message that individuals who are engaged in these criminal actions will be prosecuted and brought to justice.