FBI confiscates 76,000 compact discs at Sanford firm

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SANFORD — The FBI has seized 76,000 compact discs allegedly containing illegally recorded music from U.S. Optical Disc Inc. No charges were filed against the company, which says it was unaware that its client did not have legal rights to the music.
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SANFORD — The FBI has seized 76,000 compact discs allegedly containing illegally recorded music from U.S. Optical Disc Inc.

No charges were filed against the company, which says it was unaware that its client did not have legal rights to the music.

U.S. Optical, which is owned by Europe Optical Disc of Tilburg, Holland, receives master tapes from clients and than manufactures compact discs.

The seized CDs were made from a master tape supplied by a man named Tony Harrington, who is affiliated with a company in southern California, according to Christopher Clark, U.S. Optical’s manufacturing manager.

“We were not aware that there was any problem pertaining to the legal rights of the music,” Clark said Wednesday night. And since the seizure March 29, the company has “fully cooperated” with the FBI and the Recording Industry Association of America, he said.

The discs allegedly were unauthorized compilations of greatest hits from more than 20 different artists and groups.

FBI special agent Edward Clark said state and federal laws make it illegal to manufacture records, tapes, CDs or other items without the songwriter’s or performer’s permission.


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