TV Links website shut down

The alleged owner of the TV Links website, a directory that links to sites where video content can be illegally downloaded, has been arrested.

A 26-year-old man was detained last week on suspicion of copyright infringement after a joint operation between the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and Gloucestershire Trading Standards Officers.

The site contained links to places where you could download footage of films that had been recorded in cinemas using a camcorder, according to FACT, and has now been closed down.

Roger Marles of Trading Standards said: "This is illegal under UK copyright law. The 'users' are potentially evading licence fees, subscription fees to digital services or the cost of purchase or admittance to cinemas to view the films.

"As no control is exerted over who can visit the site and access the service, there is no regard for the age of the viewer and therefore no control of the content of what is viewed," Marles continued.

Kieron Sharp, FACT's director general, said: "We at FACT have stated very clearly that we intended to pursue those who are openly exploiting and facilitating the distribution of illegal film and TV content and this was the first major target.

Sharp also said that the site was risking the security of its users.

"Those visiting sites hosting illegal content run the risk of downloading Trojans or viruses that can infect their computers," he said.

The man arrested in connection with the case has been released pending further enquiries.

www.fact-uk.org.uk
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

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