AAPA Awards recipients named
The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) has announced the recipients of its annual awards, recognizing exceptional contributions by law enforcement agencies in combating online piracy and protecting intellectual property in the audiovisual sector.
Award Recipients:
1. Lifetime Achievement Award:
• Sheila Cassells: Honored for her 14-year tenure transforming AAPA and her lifelong dedication to fighting audiovisual piracy.
2. Joint Award Winner:
• Massimiliano Capitanio of AGCOM: Recognized for implementing Italy’s new internet blocking system, setting a precedent for anti-piracy efforts in the EU.
3. Joint Award Winner:
• Patras Security Directorate of the Hellenic Police: Specifically, Officers Bantzis Georgios and Delimaris Konstantinos, acknowledged for dismantling multiple criminal organizations involved in subscription piracy across Greece.
4. High Commendation:
• Federal Bureau of Investigation / Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation / DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section: For the successful prosecution of Bill Omar Carrasquillo, aka Omi in a Hellcat, who operated a large-scale IPTV piracy scheme generating over $30 million in illicit profits.
5. High Commendation:
• Nucleo di Polizia Economico-Finanziaria della Guardia di Finanza di Milano and Squadra Reati Informatici della Procura della Repubblica di Milano: Recognized for innovative investigative work leading to operations against television piracy in Italy, involving multiple suspects across various regions.
These awards highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing the evolving tactics used by piracy networks and underscore the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding intellectual property in the digital age.
