Serial counterfeiter Sean Blower from Barrow was today given a 36-week suspended prison sentence by Judge Lloyd at Burnley Crown Court.
Blower pleaded Guilty to 23 charges of copying DVD films and selling copied films, music CDs and computer games; and to 4 charges of selling unclassified films. Blower repeatedly offended in Cumbria and the prosecution was brought by Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Department.
Blower was picked up by police on Sunday 9 July 2006 at Barrow Town Hall car park where he was seen running a stall at a car boot sale selling counterfeit discs. Despite this, Blower continued his illegal activities and was again arrested when selling counterfeit discs at the car boot sale at Flookburgh airfield on 3 September 2006.
Even though Blower was then summoned to appear in Barrow Magistrates court for the offences in July and September 2006, he failed to appear in court and carried on flouting the law. He was picked up by police on the A590 at Lindale on Easter Monday 9 April 2007. His car was searched and found to contain hundreds of copied discs - films, music CDs and computer games.
An aggravating factor in this case was that Blower was due to be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 20 April 2007 for copying offences on three separate occasions in 2005 and 2006 in Greater Manchester. Sean Blower was subsequently sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for those offences, which were brought by Oldham Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Police.
Phil Ashcroft, head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said: "I’m pleased with this result. Frankly, nothing other than the threat of a lengthy prison sentence is going to change this man’s behaviour. The damage caused by counterfeiters significantly affects legitimate recording industries."
Michael Robinson, Managing Director of ELSPA (Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association), said: "The successful resolution of the extraordinary Blower case will hopefully provide a sharp reminder to criminals that the law takes counterfeiting very seriously. ELSPA would like to thank Trading Standards and police for their hard work in this investigation."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Note
1. The attached pictures show some of the counterfeit goods seized.
2. Charges were brought under the Trade Marks Act 1994 (s92), the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988 (s107) and the Video Recordings Act 1984 (s10).
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228 226337.