Three Arrested For Piracy

THE COPYRIGHT Office Antipiracy Team, in collaboration with the Police Striking Force Unit, on Monday evening arrested three persons suspected for dealing in pirated musical works and movies at their hideout at Mallam Junction.

The suspects, who are currently in police custody at the regional Striking Force Unit, are Atsu Sevordzi, Emmanuel Kuwornu and Moses Adindau.

The suspects, according to the police, would be prosecuted at the court after investigations.

During the operation, the antipiracy team seized pirated audio compact discs and video compact discs (VCDs).

Seized pirated works included the compilations of Daddy Lumba, Esther Smith, Diana Asamoah, Kojo Antwi, Cecilia Marfo, DSP Kofi Sarpong, Yaw Sarpong, Ohemaa Mercy, Sarkodie, among others.

Briefing the press after the operation, Peter Joshua Odoom from the Copyright Office said the activities of music pirates had brought untold hardships upon musicians and music producers, who lost heavy investments through such illegal activities.


The activities of pirates, he pointed out, if not checked, could kill creativity in the music industry “as the pirates are living on the sweat and toil of musicians and music producers.”

He warned that music and movie sellers should desist from selling pirated musical works and rather purchase original copies of music produced, from authentic sources.

He said the exercise would be sustained until the activities of pirates were nipped in the bud. Some members of the Ghana Association of Pornographic Industry (GAPI) noted that piracy does not only rob them of their expected revenue, but significantly tampers with the quality of their products, thereby causing public disaffection against them.

In an interview with BEATWAVES, Benjamin Mensah, CEO of Big Ben Music Productions, explained that because the pirates do not incur much cost as the producers, they tend to sell their products cheaper in the open market.

He emphasized that though GAPI and the Copyright Office were doing all they could to fight piracy, what they required most to be successful in their bid is massive governmental support.

 By George Clifford Owusu