Entertainment Legal News

Owner Of Grocery Store Sentenced For Selling Pirated DVD'S

United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced that Ann Bui, age 48, from Youngsville, Louisiana was sentenced in federal court today United States District Judge Richard T. Haik to 2 years probation for copyright infringement. Bui was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $3,000 and restitution in the amount of $2,077.04.

Bui pled guilty in October 2005 following an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement after learning that BUI was trafficking in pirated DVDs.

Bui owned and operated Michael’s Grocery located in Youngsville, Louisiana. From December 2001 through September 2004, Bui reproduced and sold pirated DVDs from her place of business. More than ten copies of copyrighted works worth more than $2,500 were sold within a 180-day period from March to September 2004. Bui did not have authorization from the copyright holder to reproduce the various
motion pictures and sound recordings. Bui violated the copyright laws for the purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain.

As a result of her violation, BUI forfeited $29,978.45 in U.S. Currency as well as various media and computer equipment.

Sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. United States Sentencing Guidelines established by the United States Congress and the United States Sentencing Commission are only used as guidelines by the judge in determining the appropriate sentence. Parole has been abolished in the federal system.

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	Did You Know?
	Production Company is a major factor in entertainment The production company acts as central headquarters for all stages of production. They range in size from a single person to over twenty employees and commit to duties ranging from the inception of an idea to making sure the final print's delivered to the theater on premiere night. They're core functions, however, are to assist the headlining producer in developing scripts, attaching talent, and running the day-to-day production activity. Although a handful of production companies fall under corporate studio umbrellas that cover their overhead, most work on a project-to-project basis much like the artists.