Piracy & Copyright
If you are facing allegations of piracy or copyright infringement, DPP Law’s specialist solicitors can provide expert legal advice and robust defence against these complex charges.
DPP Law is home to a team of experienced and highly qualified piracy solicitors and copyright infringement solicitors who have a thorough understanding of all aspects of copyright law and anti-piracy procedures.
They will look through your records to find out which of your practices may have caused suspicion, help you in any dealings with investigating officers and assist you in building a strong defence.
While the illegal distribution of copyrighted material has long been a concern of law enforcement officials, the advent of the internet and the subsequent development of illegal streaming platforms has resulted in a considerable government crackdown and severe penalties for copyright infringement and piracy.
Due to the complexity of copyright law, it is possible to commit numerous types of copyright infringement without being aware that you are breaching regulations at all.
Contacting piracy & copyright solicitors will allow you to access vital advice that will help in the improvement of your preventative processes, as well as high-quality representation should you find yourself facing penalties for piracy.
If you are investigated for piracy, it may be because you are suspected of:
- Intellectual property theft
- Copyright Theft
- Fraud
- Cybercrime
- Illegal duplication, sale or distribution of copyrighted material
- Patent infringement
Your misstep may have been as simple as a failure to correctly cite the source of the material you have shared, but however simple the mistake in question, making contact with expert piracy & copyright solicitors is highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the punishment for piracy?
Piracy is currently punishable by up to 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
What types of information are protected by copyright laws?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 states that original literary, dramatic and musical works, databases of independent works, data or other materials, artistic works, sound recordings, films, satellite or cable broadcast material and the typographical arrangement of a published edition of a literary, dramatic or musical work are all covered by copyright law.
What is the maximum penalty for copyright infringement?
You may face a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine if you are found guilty of copyright infringement by the Crown Court. The severity of your punishment will be determined by the nature of the offence, but even minor failings can be punishable by a considerable fine, which is why it is vital to be represented by expert piracy solicitors.
You should never engage with investigators without advice from piracy & copyright solicitors. Contact DPP Law’s expert copyright infringement solicitors and piracy solicitors immediately if you are being investigated for breaches of copyright law.
Our criminal defence solicitors can defend you if you have been accused of any of the below criminal offences:
- Burglary, Robbery, Theft and Handling
- Criminal Damage
- Assault, ABH and GBH
- Drug Offences
- Benefit Fraud
- Financial Crime and Fraud
- Bribery and Corruption
- Serious Fraud
- Murder and Manslaughter
- Gun Law, Knife and Firearm Offences
- Public Order Offences
- Death by Dangerous Driving
- Blackmail and Extortion
- Perverting The Course Of Justice
- Regulatory Defence
- Trading Standards Prosecutions
- Health & Safety Prosecutions
- Hacking
- Counterfeiting
- Organised Crime
- Terrorism
- Extradition
- Corporate Manslaughter
- Animal Cruelty/RSPCA Prosecutions
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Related Services
- Knife Crime
- Burglary, Robbery, Theft & Handling
- Criminal Damage Charges
- Drug Offences
- Murder & Manslaughter
- Gun Law & Firearm Offences
- Public Order Offences
- Criminal Appeals
- Death by Dangerous Driving
- Blackmail and Extortion
- Perverting The Course Of Justice
- Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO)
- Piracy & Copyright
- Hacking
- Counterfeiting
- Animal Cruelty/RSPCA Prosecutions
- Organised Crime
- Terrorism
- Extradition
- Criminal Assault
FAQs
It depends on the circumstances. Copyright offences usually require intent, such as knowingly downloading, sharing, or distributing copyrighted material without permission.
However:
If illegal material (e.g., pirated films, music, software) is found on your device, the police may still investigate to determine how it got there.
You may need to show that the download was accidental, automatic (e.g., via malware or pop-ups), or that you did not know the content was infringing.
Civil copyright claims can arise even without criminal intent, though the focus is usually on deliberate or repeated infringement.
Getting advice early can help protect your position during interviews or device examinations.
Civil infringement
- Usually brought by the copyright owner (e.g., a film studio, software company).
- The aim is often compensation or stopping the infringement (injunctions).
- No risk of a criminal record or prison.
Criminal infringement
- Brought by the state (CPS) or, in some cases, Trading Standards.
- Focuses on intentional, large-scale, or commercial infringement—such as running piracy websites, distributing illegal streams, or selling counterfeit goods.
- Penalties can include fines, seizure of equipment, and imprisonment.
Some situations may attract both civil and criminal action.
Yes. During an investigation into alleged copyright or piracy offences, police or enforcement agencies (such as Trading Standards) may:
- Seize computers, phones, hard drives, and storage devices
- Copy or forensically examine data
- Retain equipment while the investigation continues
This can happen under a search warrant or through statutory powers under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act or related legislation.
If your devices have been seized, a solicitor can help challenge the warrant, request the return of property, or ensure your rights are protected during the investigation.
Yes. Companies and their directors can face criminal charges if the business is involved in:
- Selling counterfeit goods
- Using unlicensed software
- Distributing illegal streams or digital content
- Profiting from or facilitating piracy
Both the business entity and individuals (directors, managers, employees) can be held criminally liable if they were involved or turned a blind eye. Penalties can include fines, confiscation of profits under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and, for individuals, imprisonment.