Appeal
Refers to appeals taken by the anti-piracy program in civil or criminal cases. To qualify for an appeal, the program must be asking a higher court to review an adverse decision by a lower court.

Back to Back Copying
Copying of a VCD or DVD to another VCD or DVD. Little or no attempt is made to duplicate packaging.

Burner Lab
A centralized computer connected to optical disc burners configured to manufacture multiple copies of the same source material.
NOTE: We included both CD and DVD burners in this category.

Cable Piracy
The transmission of programming over a cable TV system without the authority of the copyright owner.

Cable Signal Theft
The illegal commercial interception or retransmission of cable TV programming without payment of subscription fees. Cable signal theft include the use of modified or unauthorized de-scrambling equipment.

Cable Equipment Piracy
The manufacture, distribution or use of illegally modified cable de-scrambling equipment. Cable piracy involves the use of illegal "black boxes" by consumers.

Cease and Desist Letter
A letter to a third party that identifies specific violations of copyright or other legal provisions, demands the cessation of the infringing activity and/or other remedies, and threatens that legal action will be taken if the party does not comply with its terms.

Counterfeiting
Unauthorized duplication of motion pictures or other trademarked goods, in which significant effort is devoted to the faithful duplication of legitimate packaging, artwork, and, in some cases, security measures, in an attempt to pass off the copy as genuine.

Decoders
An apparatus that converts a purposely scrambled television signal into a viewable picture. Illegal cable/satellite decoders are often referred to as "black boxes".

Duplication Facility
A commercial enterprise or facility which duplicates motion pictures in film, video or laser formats. Enterprises or facilities engaging in such duplication without authorization may be referred to as "illegal duplication facilities" or "illegal factories."

Inspection
A visit to a video retailer or other commercial facility to determine if illegal video product is present on the premises that has not been subject to a previous investigative activity. 

Internet - Auctions
This category is a subset of Internet Hard Goods, focusing on hard goods sales using online auction sites. Popular auction sites include ruten, Yahoo, etc.

Internet - Circumvention Devices
Devices used to defeat technological measures designed to protect movies from theft.

Internet - Downloadable Media
The sale or transfer of movies compressed into computer files.

Internet - Hard Goods
The sale of actual VCDs, DVDs or other finished product.

Internet - Release Groups
This category includes any investigations directed at Internet source piracy targets. An Encoding/Release Group is typically an organized group of technically skilled individuals who strive to be the first source of pirated movies and television content on the Internet.

Investigative targets which belong in this category include Internet release group members, suppliers to Internet release groups, and Internet source piracy infrastructure such as FTP Topsites and the individual who own, operate, and courier pirated goods to them.

Internet - Streaming
The broadcast of movies or television shows over the Internet.

Investigation
The formal collection and analysis of information tending to prove or disprove the occurrence of an illegal act and the identity of a subject of suspicion.

Pirate Optical Disc Distributor
An individual, business or facility that accumulates and stores pirated discs (burned and replicated) for subsequent distribution into the illegal sales market.
NOTE: We included both burned discs (CD-Rs, DVD-Rs, etc.) and replicated discs (VCDs, DVDs, CDs, etc) in this category as it is our understanding that many distributors do not deal in one specific media.

Pirate Optical Disc Retailer
Storefront or similar facility used primarily for the sale of unauthorized hard goods (VCDs, DVDs, CDs, DVD-Rs, CD-Rs, etc). A pirate retailer may purchase illegal copies directly from a burner lab, replicator or distributor, or may have one or more burners to produce their own illegal copies to sell to consumers.
NOTE: We included both burned discs (CD-Rs, DVD-Rs, etc) and replicated discs (VCDs, DVDs, CDs, etc) in this category as it is our understanding that many retailers do not deal in one specific media.

Pre-release Piracy
An unauthorized copy of a motion picture in any format distributed or possessed prior to the authorized release of that motion picture in that format in the subject country. May be distinguished as "pre-theatrical release piracy" or "pre-video release piracy" depending on which authorized release window the piracy proceeds.

Public Performance Piracy
Any showing to the "public" of a motion picture in any format not licensed for exhibition in that particular place.

Raid
An authorized search conducted without prior notice, for the purpose of seizing materials for use as evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding, for preventive or probative purposes or pursuant to a civil or criminal court order.

Replicator Plant/ Factory
Facility used primarily for the manufacture of Optical Discs (VCDs, DVDs, CDs, etc,) intended for the home entertainment market. Replication equipment would include disc-molding equipment, and may also include mastering equipment (any machine, equipment, or device used for the mastering of optical discs or production parts), necessary for the production of optical discs.

Satellite Piracy
The transmission of programming over a satellite TV system without the authority of the copyright owner.

Satellite Signal Theft
The illegal commercial interception or retransmission of satellite TV programming without the payment of subscription fees. The retransmission may or may not include the use of modified, unauthorized, or grey market de-scrambling equipment.

Site Survey
An on-site inspection and formal review of physical security, access control, distribution systems and accountability for member company product at, for example, a film or video reproduction or distribution facility.

Smart Card
An electronic apparatus that resembles a credit card and is inserted into a satellite decoder to enable it to de-scramble an encrypted satellite signal. The card is easily adaptable to changing encryption technology.

Street Vendors / Flea Markets
Individual vendors and markets that sell unauthorized hard goods (tape, burned and/or replicated discs) on the street, in an open marketplace (not in an individual store), or out of a vehicle.

Under the Counter Piracy
A form of video piracy where video shop owners do not display pirated videocassettes on shelves, but have copies available "under the counter" upon request.

Warning Letter
A letter to a third party that provides general information about rights under the copyright laws or other legal provisions and advises against violation of those rights, without identifying specific instances of infringement, making demands for specific corrective actions or seeking restitution for past illegal activities.