Sydney Pirate Jailed

A Sydney court has handed down Australia's longest sentence for music piracy.

According to Christie's Music News, a Sydney court has sentenced a music pirate to nine months in jail — the longest custodial sentence for piracy offences ever handed down in Australia. Forty-five-year-old Qing Wang appeared before the Burwood Local Court over more than 30 offences relating to copyright theft. Wang entered a plea of guilty to charges stemming from a NSW Police raid on a South Western Sydney market in May 2008 where Wang was caught selling pirate discs.

Dean Mitchell, Investigations Manager, Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) said, 'This should be a wake up call to criminals who continue to profit from the hard work and creativity of other Australians. The court has sent an important message: that piracy is a serious crime and those involved will be investigated, prosecuted and may ultimately find themselves in jail.'