§ 21-1980. Counterfeit labels - Penalties.

A.  It shall be unlawful for any person to make, manufacture, sell, distribute, offer for sale, issue or place in circulation or knowingly have in his possession for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, a counterfeit label affixed or designed to be affixed to a phonorecord, a copy of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, recording or article.

B.  A violation of this section involving less than seven articles upon which motion pictures or other audiovisual works are recorded or less than one hundred other articles or sound recordings, shall constitute a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

C.  A violation of this section involving seven or more articles upon which motion pictures or other audiovisual works are recorded or one hundred or more other articles or sound recordings, shall constitute a felony, and shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a term not more than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

D.  A second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this section shall constitute a felony, and shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a term not less than two (2) years nor more than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

Added by Laws 1991, c. 82, § 6, emerg. eff. April 18, 1991.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 434, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 318, eff. July 1, 1999.

Note

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 434 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.