RIAA-Cinram settlement highlights importance of IRMA’s anti-piracy compliance program
The recent announcement of a settlement between the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Cinram International for replicating CDs that allegedly infringed copyrights owned by RIAA members put a spotlight on the importance of replication facilities participating in the Anti-Piracy Compliance Program (APCP) administered by the International Recording Media Association (IRMA).
Frank Creighton, RIAA’s Executive Vice President, Director of Anti-Piracy, stated, “It is worth noting that many of the infringing discs in the recent claim appear to have been produced prior to Cinram’s certification in IRMA's program, or by their one non-certified plant, which is presently going through the certification process. The recent settlement with Cinram highlights the importance of following RIAA’s Recommended Business Practices, as well as participating in other programs, such as IRMA’s Anti-Piracy Compliance Program, designed to assist replicators in limiting their exposure to copyright infringement claims.”
According to Dave Rubenstein, President of Cinram Americas, “Most of the alleged infringements were prior to Cinram’s involvement and subsequent certification in the IRMA Anti-Piracy Compliance Program. IRMA’s Anti-Piracy Compliance Program is a valid process for reducing the potential for manufacturing pirated material. Cinram has participated in the IRMA anti-piracy program since its inception and helped develop the standards and processes by which plants are certified.”
“Since our early participation in the IRMA anti-piracy program, we have strengthened our internal anti-piracy efforts,” Rubenstein added. “Cinram is in the process of having its remaining plants certified, and our Huntsville, Alabama plant recently passed its annual anti-piracy surveillance audit with zero non-conformances.”
Tony Perez, IRMA’s Director - Worldwide Anti-Piracy Compliance Program, confirmed the absence of a non-conformance of policy, procedure, or practice is “a rare occurrence during an audit.” Added Linda Dyson, Lead Auditor from Engineering Solutions Associates, the company that conducted the Huntsville plant audit, “This is one of the first times I observed no non-conformances for an IRMA Anti-Piracy Audit.”
According to Dave Rubenstein, President of Cinram Americas, “Most of the alleged infringements were prior to Cinram’s involvement and subsequent certification in the IRMA Anti-Piracy Compliance Program. IRMA’s Anti-Piracy Compliance Program is a valid process for reducing the potential for manufacturing pirated material. Cinram has participated in the IRMA anti-piracy program since its inception and helped develop the standards and processes by which plants are certified.”
“Since our early participation in the IRMA anti-piracy program, we have strengthened our internal anti-piracy efforts,” Rubenstein added. “Cinram is in the process of having its remaining plants certified, and our Huntsville, Alabama plant recently passed its annual anti-piracy surveillance audit with zero non-conformances.”
Tony Perez, IRMA’s Director - Worldwide Anti-Piracy Compliance Program, confirmed the absence of a non-conformance of policy, procedure, or practice is “a rare occurrence during an audit.” Added Linda Dyson, Lead Auditor from Engineering Solutions Associates, the company that conducted the Huntsville plant audit, “This is one of the first times I observed no non-conformances for an IRMA Anti-Piracy Audit.”
