DJ given suspended jail sentence for selling remix CDs containing copyrighted music

A DJ from East Yorkshire has been handed a suspended jail sentence for selling remix CDs containing copyrighted music.

According to the Yorkshire Post, Mark Kearns of East Cowick was sentenced to 26 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Hull Crown Court last week, and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of community work and pay £21,000. 

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Kearns pleaded guilty to violating copyright law from the sale of remix CDs online over the course of five years, which the court heard used "identifiable elements of original sound recordings without permission from the copyright owners". Investigators believe sales generated around £220,979. 

The prosecution comes following a lengthy investigation from Trading Standards officials, which began in 2018 when the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) made a number of test purchases of Kearn's CDs. A warrant was later issued in 2022 and his home was searched.

"This activity enabled him to commercially exploit protected material, generating income at the expense of legitimate artists and businesses within the music industry," a spokesperson from East Riding Council said.

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"Counterfeit and unauthorised goods undermine fair trading and can generate significant illicit profit," Cabinet member Lyn Healing said in a statement to BBC News. "We will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where offences are identified, and this sentence sends a clear message that such activity will not be tolerated."

[Via: Yorkshire Post] 

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, get in touch with her here.