Liverpool man held over suspected Top 40 music fraud

The man is being questioned on suspicion of of copyright infringement and fraud offences

A man has been arrested on suspicion of illegally distributing the UK's Top 40 music chart on the internet.

The 38-year-old was arrested in the Everton area of Liverpool in a joint operation by officers from Merseyside Police and City of London Police.

The man, who has not been named, is accused of uploading singles onto various websites after the charts are published each week.

Police believe his actions could have cost the industry millions of pounds.

The suspect remains in custody, where he is being questioned on suspicion of copyright infringement and fraud offences.

'Music piracy'

Detectives from City of London Police's intellectual property crime unit (IPCU) also searched the man's home and seized several computers and mobile devices.

As well as the Top 40 chart, he is suspected of uploading acapella music (songs without instrumental accompaniment), and generating "significant advertising revenue", police said.

Det Insp Mick Dodge, of City of London Police, said: "Today's operation in Liverpool demonstrates how we are prepared to travel nationwide in the pursuit of those suspected of being involved in the illegal distribution of content online.

"This is a crime that is costing the UK creative industry hundreds of millions of pounds."

Simon Bourn, of PRS for Music, a body which supervises performance rights for musicians, said: "Music piracy has a severe impact on the livelihoods of the entire song-writing community - and many more who contribute to Britain's renowned creative industry."