Anti-piracy directive

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Build-up to EU anti-piracy directive
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With only a few days to go before the UK deadline on the 28th May, for
the implementation of the EU anti-piracy directive, other European
countries appear to be developing very different policies at different
speeds. Scandinavian governments have been very active in tightening up
old legislation and introducing new laws to cover gaps. Finnish law
makes it illegal even to be in possession of pirate equipment -
something which was not even required under the EU directive - and
Danish, Swedish and Norwegian broadcasters operating through STOP (the
copyright protection agency) have been very active in recent weeks in
closing down internet sites providing D2-Mac and digital codes. Closer
to home, the Irish government appears unlikely to meet the May deadline
for the implementation of the directive, though action is likely before
the end of the summer. Penalties in Ireland will continue to be
relatively light - a ?1,500 fine - though there is always the risk of
civil damages on top. There is a widespread belief that recent police
activity in Holland and Italy in seizing pirate cards, and the
downloading of a large number of new codes - which have not been used
until now - is part of a plan to blitz receivers towards the end of May.
Action will then be taken against anyone caught selling pirate
equipment.