The Copyright, etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 17th January 2001 with the backing of the Department of Trade and Industry.
It will be a criminal offence to sell, make for hire or deal with pirated software, music and films or bootleg recordings or unauthorised decoders for satellite and cable broadcasts. The law also covers counterfeit goods making unauthorised use of trade marks. There are also extended police powers of search and seizure for investigating such offences.
The Bill makes amendments to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to increase the Act's penalties; it does not attempt to create new offences. The 1988 Act also contains an offence of using pirated software in the course of business, which can be punished with up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000. However, contrary to media reports, the Bill does not amend the "using" penalties under that Act.
According to the Business Software Alliance, in UK business, one in four software packages is used illegally.