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The BPI is pleased to announce that it has agreed an out of court settlement with internet retailer play.com.
The BPI issued legal proceedings against the retailer in December 2003, after it emerged that play.com had been sourcing their product from areas outside Europe – an illegal practice known as parallel importing when undertaken without the consent of the controller of the rights in the UK.
Though the products sourced by play.com were not counterfeits, they had been cleared for sale outside Europe only, and making them available for sale in the UK without the consent of the controller of the rights in the UK contravenes UK Copyright Law.
As part of the settlement, play.com has agreed to a Court Order that provides that it will only sell CDs that have been sourced from Europe.
BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson said:
“All British-based record companies and all retailers - offline or online - are adversely affected when product specifically designated for markets outside of Europe flows back into the UK. It is impossible to invest in, develop and market new British talent if we do not protect our legal rights to prevent parallel importing.”
