The official DVD is not expected until November but the eBay
sellers were offering discs that feature their own recordings of
the live TV broadcast. Home recordings from TV are allowed for
personal use – a practice known as 'time-shifting' that is written
into the UK's copyright legislation; but to sell such a recording
is a breach of copyright.
The BPI says it is "working closely with the online auction site
to have the illegal listings removed," but it is also critical of
eBay's current policy
According to the BPI, eBay sellers can be caught selling items
illegally up to three times before their account gets suspended.
Even then, says the BPI, there does not seem to be anything to
prevent sellers starting over with the same credit card details,
with the rules seemingly even more flexible for eBay-approved
'power sellers'.
Online auction sites have become a piracy haven in recent years,
and in 2004 the BPI arranged for the removal of 14,318 illegal
auctions – up from 5,649 in 2003. With more than 13,000 actions
removed so far this year, BPI investigators expect the problem to
double in 2005 as more and more illicit sellers try to sell
online.
BPI Director of Anti-Piracy David Martin said: “We would like to
see online auction sites introduce far more effective methods to
prevent the illegal sale of fakes. Three strikes and out is simply
not good enough; it’s far too easy for these people to cash in, and
if caught they get another two warnings. Auction sites must move to
expel music pirates permanently, and with immediate effect.”
The BPI urges music buyers to report any incidents of piracy on
its Anti-Piracy Hotline on 020 7803 1332.
