How to spot a fake – STOP PIRACY!
How to spot PIRACY:
Recognising Pirated Music Vital In Fight Against This Scourge of the SA Music Industry –
A Handy Consumers Guideline
In the wake of the MTN SA Music Awards where over 30 artists were recognized for their achievements in the industry, the scourge of music piracy continues largely unchecked, with established and emerging artists losing significant amounts of money to the scourge of music piracy. Winners Malaika and Ntando have been identified by RiSA as artists whose music is largely targeted for piracy.
As part of its mandate to educate the South African public, the RiSA Anti-Piracy Unit has prepared a set of guidelines for consumers to assist in identifying pirated music that floods the South African market on a daily basis.
The indicators are imperative for those consumers who have joined the fight against music piracy, refusing to purchase pirated product from those who sell it on the street, at flea markets and at dodgy retailers.
Below is a list of indicators for music being sold on various formats that each and every consumer of South African music should be aware of before purchasing their favourite music.
Music Cassettes
Inlay
1. Artist and/or album handwritten on inlay (Photo / Enlarged photo) – Photo ref. no:
2. No graphics or designs on inlay
3. Usually the same inlay as provided with recordable cassette
Cassette
1. Usually not smokey-grey or see-through cassette but white, red, green, yellow, etc.
2. Tabs intact or broken out
3. No spinal printing
4. Spelling mistakes
5. Screws holding sides together or sometimes welded together
6. No RiSA leader tape
7. No printing on cassette
8. Artist and/or album handwritten on label of cassette
General
1. Being sold in unlikely environment
2. Usually costs 50% less than what original will sell for in retail
3. Original music cassettes sell for between R38 and R48 (if on a special offer they may sell for a bit less)
Please note that in some cases music cassettes of young and upcoming artists may bear some of these features. If unsure whether you are dealing with a pirate/counterfeit cassette or not, contact RiSA for assistance.
Music CD’s (compact discs) and DVD’s (digital versatile discs)
Inlay
1. Artist and album handwritten on inlay or printed with computer
2. No graphics or designs on inlay
3. Usually the same inlay provided with the recordable compact disc (CD-R), just turned around
4. No copyright notices or logos/trademarks of rights holders
CD/DVD
1. No IFPI code on inner ring of readable(shiny) side of disc
2. Disc usually a CD-R/CD-RW or DVD-R/DVD-RW
3. Readable (shiny) side of disc never silver but gold, blue, orange, etc.
4. Artist and album handwritten on label side of disc or printed label attached
5. No copyright notices or logos/trademarks of rights holders
General
1. Being sold in unlikely environment
2. Usually costs 50% less than what original will sell for in retail
3. Original music CD’s sell for between R70 and R150 and music DVD’s for between R100 and R250 (if on a special offer they may sell for a bit less)
CONTACT DETAILS & REPORTING
There are several ways to report music piracy to the Anti-Piracy Enforcement Unit:
Anti-piracy Hotline: 0860 747283 (pirate) / Telephone: 011-8861342
Fax: 011-8868553
E-mail
Write to: The Anti-Piracy Unit, P.O. Box 367, Randburg, 2125
Confidentiality is guaranteed.
P.S. If you want to take pictures of the fong-kong CD’s, there are plenty at RiSA offices, and we can set up an interview with Braam Schoeman – of the RiSA Anti Piracy Unit – 886 1342
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