Fake vinyl record pressing plant busted in UK

A counterfeiting operation that tapped into the growing appetite for music on vinyl has been taken down after a four-year investigation.

Working with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI),  South Wales Police discovered an illicit vinyl pressing facility, specialising in Northern Soul records, that is thought to have distributed “tens of thousands” of unauthorised represses, mainly through eBay and Amazon.

On November 30, at Newport Crown Court four defendants – Alan Godfrey, Robert Pye, Steve Russell and Chris Price – received a range of sentences after entering guilty pleas at an earlier hearing. The BPI notes that some of those involved already have previous convictions and have served prison sentences for trademark and copyright piracy.

Along with BPI officers, South Wales Police carried out a series of warrants at the home addresses of those prosecuted, in the process recovering 55,635 Infringing 7” vinyl records, 26 infringing 10” vinyl records, and 907 infringing 12” vinyl records, as well as 4,678 infringing CDs, 70 infringing music DVDs, and 8 DVD MP3s - the latter containing a total of 5,121 music tracks and 98 albums. 

Documentary exhibits, computer equipment exhibits, printed inlays, printed face labels, plain white cardboard /paper record sleeves were also examined, underlining the extent of their endeavours, including the fact they had commissioned the pressing of the vinyl.

Many record labels, including Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music as well as smaller niche labels such as Rollercoaster Records and Ace Records, have been affected by the criminal enterprise, says the BPI.

Though still niche in terms of its size within the overall recorded music market, vinyl enjoyed another stellar year in 2016, with over 3.2 million LPs sold – a 53 per cent rise on 2015 and the highest annual total in a quarter of a century. The depth of this revival is illustrated by the fact that over 30 titles sold more than 10,000 copies in 2016, compared to just 10 in 2015. LPs now account for nearly 5 per cent of the album market.

Many record labels, including Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music as well as smaller niche labels such as Rollercoaster Records and Ace Records, have been affected by the criminal enterprise, says the BPI.

"These important prison sentences send a very strong message to music pirates around the country,” commented BPI’s general counsel Kiaron Whitehead.

“Whether it’s an illegal music website or fake vinyl being sold on eBay and Amazon – the BPI and the police are watching you and you will be prosecuted.”

Photo by Ocramnaig_o1 on Unsplash