Maine Man Convicted for Counterfeiting More Than 48,000 DVDs

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A Maine jury has convicted a former video rental chain owner of mail fraud and copyright infringement following charges that he sold more than 48,000 counterfeit copies of copyright protected movies.

Fifty-two-year-old Douglas Gordon was once the owner of a chain of video stores in eastern Maine. The jury convicted him Tuesday after a seven-day trial that capped one of the most extensive criminal copyright cases in U.S. history. Gordon, of the tiny town of Mattawamkeag, was charged with counterfeiting DVDs.

Gordon faces up to 20 years in prison for the mail fraud offense. His attorney, Steve Smith, described Gordon as "a well-meaning small business owner trying to interpret very complex copyright law." He says he's unlikely to appeal.

Representatives from CBS, Disney and others testified against Gordon at trial.