A Brewer man accused of illegally copying and selling pirated movies for years pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court in Bangor to two counts of copyright infringement in 2014 and 2015.
Douglas Gordon, 51, was released on $2,500 unsecured bail that includes limited access to the internet as a condition.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations warned Gordon in 2015 and again in 2017 to cease his alleged illegal activities, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. But, according to the U.S. attorney’s office, Gordon ignored those warnings and since 2015 has been “unlawfully reproducing and selling tens of thousands of counterfeit copies of copyright-protected motion pictures.”
In August 2015, investigators searched Gordon’s home and seized counterfeit DVDs, equipment used to reproduce motion pictures, order forms and other documents connecting Gordon to a website he used to advertise counterfeit DVDs, according to court documents. Investigators searched the same residence in May 2017 and allegedly found additional evidence of copyright infringement.
Between October 2010 and December 2016, Gordon and the operators of the websites on which he marketed the DVDs allegedly earned more than $588,000. Last year, Gordon allegedly earned $45,000 from the sale of counterfeit movies.
The federal statute of limitations prevents Gordon from being charged with crimes that allegedly occurred before Jan. 21, 2014.
Information about whether the operators of the websites on which Gordon allegedly sold the DVDs have been charged was unavailable Thursday.
Gordon’s attorney, Stephen Smith of Augusta, said his client planned to “vigorously defend” himself.
“Copyright law is complex and a trap for the unsuspecting,” Smith said.
If convicted, Gordon faces up to three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also could be ordered to pay restitution to the companies that own the copyrights.