ANTI-PIRACY
FAQ
1. What is 1 800 NO COPYS? Why is this important to IATSE members, and why should I call?
1 800 NO COPYS is a 24-hour Anti-Piracy Hotline run by the MPAA and the RIAA. The City of New York has recently announced a new campaign to fight piracy and counterfeiting, and now you can help the authorities by reporting – safely and anonymously - wherever you see bootleg DVDs illegally sold in the tri-state area.
DVD piracy hurts the creative community and undermines the economic growth of the city. Movie piracy costs workers in New York nearly 23,000 jobs and over $900 million in earnings annually. And the economy of New York State loses over $3.7 billion in total output every year due to piracy. Piracy hurts everyone, especially IATSE members. Our Health and Welfare funds experience roughly $100 million in lost residual payments on a yearly basis because of piracy !
There’s a lot at stake – and we can help. Be aware, be informed and protect our Industry !
2. What kind of activity should I report? How do I know if someone is selling bootleg DVDs?
Report where and when you see bootleg DVDs being sold by street vendors on the sidewalks, in the city’s parks, in high traffic areas like Penn Station and Times Square, or on the subway. You can also call the tip line with any reports of someone camcording in a movie theater or other pirate activity.
It’s a pretty safe bet that if you see a DVD for a movie that’s only recently been released in theaters, it’s a bootleg copy. Another indication is poor quality cover art that looks very different from the posters or other ads you might see in theaters.
3. What’s the number to call? Do I leave a message, or will I speak to an operator?
The number is 1-800-NO COPYS (1-800-662-6797). An operator will answer your call 24 hours a day.
4. What happens if I call in a tip?
A pre-recorded message will tell you that you’ve reached the MPAA/RIAA anti-piracy tip line. You may continue in either English or Spanish as prompted, and you will be connected to a live operator.
The operator will ask for your name and the company you work for and if you belong to a guild or a trade association – you don’t have to tell the operator your name, but it is safe to do so – all calls are confidential. If you do provide your name, someone may contact you for additional information.
Then the operator will ask you when and where you saw the bootleg vendor and what you observed (description of the street peddler, how many DVDs were available, etc).
That information is entered into the “Tips and Leads Database,” and MPAA personnel will decide how to respond – which includes notifying the local police, sending a private investigator to the scene, and collecting additional intelligence for future enforcement action.
5. How is this information going to be used?
You’re providing important intelligence about the availability of bootleg DVDs in our city. It will contribute to larger investigations, inform investigators and the NYPD about where bootleg DVDs are most prevalent, or prompt an immediate response from the NYPD.
6. Where and when should I make the call?
Please call from a safe location as soon as possible. An operator will take your call 24 hours a day.
7. Should I say something to the peddler?
No. Please don’t confront the street peddler. Just call to report what you see.
8. Do I have to make a purchase?
No. Your observation is enough for the report. Please don’t engage or interrogate the peddler.
9. Do I get compensated for reporting?
No, but we’re very grateful that industry stakeholders like you will take the time to call in tips. And you’re helping city officials in their efforts to reduce piracy and counterfeiting, which will protect jobs for New Yorkers and strengthen New York’s economic growth.
10. Should I wait for the police to respond?
No. You don’t need to wait for the police. Once you call the tip line, the MPAA and the NYPD will decide how to respond. They may decide to take immediate action or they may collect more information for an ongoing investigation or for future enforcement action.
11. What if I see a police officer nearby? Should I alert them or call the hotline?
You can certainly do both. It’s helpful to alert the officer and call in your tip so that MPAA and NYPD can track the problem.
12. What if I see the same street peddler again?
Please call again. It’s important for us to know if another peddler sets up in the same location or the peddler you saw may have moved before the police arrived.
13. Will I ever be called as a witness in a trial?
No. If you leave your name and contact information, someone may call you for additional information, but you will not be called as a witness in a trial.
14. How do I find out what happened after I called in a tip?
MPAA will announce successful anti piracy initiatives in New York as appropriate. If you don’t hear anything about your tip, please don’t be discouraged – your help will lead to better investigations and contribute to the NYPD’s enforcement efforts.
15. What about other counterfeit goods, like purses? Should I call that in?
You can call 1 800 NO COPYS to report street peddlers selling illegal bootleg DVDs and CDs. For more information about other counterfeit products, including purses, go to www.fakesareneverinfashion.com.
16. Should I call 1- 800- NO COPYS if I see this activity outside of the NYC area?
Yes, representatives will forward your information to the appropriate police department at the village, town, city, county or state level ! The bottom line is that your call will be dealt with in a serious professional manner regardless of where the illegal activity is occurring!