Comics yield to Internet pirates

Physical comedy duo Men In Coats have admitted defeat against the Internet pirates who have illegally distributed their routine around the web.

The double act’s performance was taped from Dutch TV show Raymon Is Laat last month and immediately posted up on the web, attracting thousands of downloads.

Lawyers from the programme immediately swooped, ordering sites to remove the copyrighter material or face legal action.

Many complied, but the video continued to pop up on sites worldwide – and now the programme makers, and the comics, have decided they are powerless to stop its spread.

Mick Dow, who performs Men In Coats with Maddy Sparham,  said: “The team at Raymon Is Laathad the video removed, threatening court action, but it was too late – the video had been posted on sites worldwide.

“But it received five-star reviews from viewers and we have been inundated with emails from all over the world.

“Although it is in breach of our copyright, we have to take the view that all publicity is good publicity.

“We’re now hoping the exposure might lead to some gigs in the States, where we have never performed .”

His wish might come true, as one new-found American fan wrote to Chortle: “We have their videos passing around the States - and people can't seem to get enough.”

Watch the video here – among many other places.

Published: 2 Jun 2005