Government of Canada Comments on Latest Arrest Under New Movie Piracy Law

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2008) - Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, today issued the following statement:

The Government of Canada has learned of an arrest and laying of charge under a new section of the Criminal Code dealing with the unlawful recording of a motion picture.

The arrest in question occurred on December 21, 2007 at a Calgary movie theatre. News of the arrest was made public yesterday by Calgary police.

Under amendments to the Criminal Code introduced by Bill C-59 and passed by Parliament in June of 2007, recording a movie in a theatre without the permission of the theatre manager, constitutes an offence carrying a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. Recording for the purpose of commercial distribution is punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

This arrest represents the first time a charge has been laid in Alberta under this new section of the Criminal Code and the second time in Canada.

The Government has taken a strong stance against movie piracy. Decisive steps to end this practice aim to protect our producers, directors, actors and creators. Canadians have told us they want safer streets and healthy communities. The Government of Canada has responded by getting tough on crime and protecting the interests of law-abiding citizens.