Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 13, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
As a full member, the group is immediately transferring various tasks in the strategic fight against pirated copies to the organisation. GVU is thus expanding its activities to include detecting infringements of the copyrights of Germany’s second-largest film distributor and its other business areas of film production, TV and home entertainment.
GVU also reports these infringements to law enforcement authorities and supports those agencies in conducting criminal proceedings on behalf of Senator AG in both criminal-law and technical matters.
Christian Sommer, Chairman of GVU, comments: “With Senator AG, one of Germany’s largest rights holders has decided to join forces with GVU. In doing so, this industry heavyweight not only endorses GVU’s proven strategy against the sources of the illegal mass distribution of pirated copies.” With this strong partner at its side, GVU could further increase its effectiveness, since a successful fight against the shadow economy requires everyone to pull together. “In this respect, the group is also sending a strong signal against this form of economic crime,” the GVU Chairman continues.
Helge Sasse, Chairman of Senator AG, comments on joining: “For me, membership of GVU is an absolute matter of course. Only together can we form an effective front against pirates, file-sharing pirates and copyright infringements. We at Senator also want to play our part and actively support GVU. The protection of originals must prevail in all areas in Germany too. That is partly our responsibility. Unfortunately, it does not yet seem to have really registered in political circles either that piracy is not about shoplifting, but that, with growing bandwidths, it may soon threaten the very existence of the film industry – as it previously did the music business.”
