He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
The court had heard that a complaint was received from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) that the defendant, Mr Peng SUN was selling counterfeit DVD’s via internet based auction websites on a major and extensive scale.
Using the trader name “ciscoren”, he was offering for sale a DVD box set of the American TV series “Smallville Seasons 1-6” and his advert included the false claim that “This is officially & Licensed Released Legal Manufactured DVD/DVD Box Set”. The FACT representative made a test-purchase.
Enquiries revealed that “ciscoren” was in fact Mr Peng SUN of Milton Keynes.
Trading Standards officers working for Milton Keynes Council executed an entry warrant at the address in February 2008, when a search revealed a large quantity of illegal DVDs.
When interviewed, Mr Sun stated that he entered the UK in March 2003 and he was still registered as a student at London Thames College where he is studying for an MBA.
The only paid employment he has had in that time is a part-time job at the Post Office during Christmas 2007. He estimated that since December 2007 he was making between £5,000 and £8,000 per month in turnover selling DVD’s.
Thames Valley Police carried out a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act and restraint orders were obtained over the 37 bank accounts held by Peng SUN and/or Lin HUANG (his partner). Just over £93,000 was held in these accounts at the time they were restrained.
Councillor Chris Williams is delighted with the result saying: “This shows that Trading Standards can hit illegal traders where it hurts and can have their assets taken from them. Milton Keynes Council’s trading standards department is working hard to protect people being deceived into buying poor quality goods that they think are the genuine article.”
Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: "The court has clearly shown that strong penalties will be imposed on those who blatantly steal film and TV content. It is also very clear in this case that the Criminal justice system can attack the substantial profits being made.
"There is no doubt that this person was running a criminal business and I would like to thank Milton Keynes Trading Standards and Thames Valley Police for their diligence in bringing this case to justice."
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