LAPD capt in DVD ‘piracy’ case
A Los Angeles Police Department captain has been busted for the alleged sale of ‘pirated’ and counterfeit DVDs following what’s described as a "joint undercover investigation" between the MPAA and Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
This is another example of what’s no more than an entertainment industry trade organ – in this case the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) – functioning as a police authority.
The MPAA’s alter-ego in the recording industry, the RIAA (Recording Industry Associaiton of America) routinely co-opts police departments around the world in its efforts to maintain its iron grip on the music business. It has just hired ex-ATF boss Brad Buckles to run its ‘anti-piracy’ unit.
In this case, Julie D. Nelson, 52, was booked at the La Palma Police Department after investigators found more than 100 DVD movies of mostly current titles in her home, said LAPD first assistant chief Jim McDonnell is quoted as saying in an LA KABC-TV news report here.
With 28 years in the LAPD, Nelson has has been relieved of all police duties and assigned to her home pending further investigation, McDonnell said.
She’s charged with two felony counts under the California Penal Code: failing to disclose the origin of a recording or audiovisual work; and possession for sale and sale of a counterfeit trademark or registered mark, says the story, going on:
"The Los Angeles and La Palma police departments, the Encino-based Motion Picture Association of America and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office opened a joint undercover investigation last week.
"That came after a tip from a confidential source to LAPD’s Professional Standards Bureau, McDonnell said."
There are no prizes for guessing who the ‘confidential source’ worked for.
By an amazing coincidence, the arrests came shortly after the announcement that California – home to the movie industry, as well as to many of its close political friends – is banning camcorders from theatres.
