Crime cracking TNT help fight global piracy

Eagle-eyed express delivery giant TNT will be on the alert during the festive season to ensure that Hollywood blockbuster 'Pirates of the Caribbean' is the only from of pirate film appearing on Britain’s DVD players this Christmas.
TNT Express Services staff at the company’s London City International Depot, based in Pages Walk, Bermondsey, have been working closely with film industry copyright body FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and Customs and Excise officials to successfully stem the tide of counterfeit DVDs entering the country.
Employees at the depot recently intercepted a consignment of the fake films with a street value of £180,000. The haul included top cinema releases such as 'Kill Bill', 'Finding Nemo', and 'Matrix Revolution's.
Depot General Manager Martyn Young said: “I’d like to commend my staff - their vigilance has helped to prevent thousands of pounds of pirate DVDs hitting the streets of this country. With the Christmas season upon us, we will continue to be on the alert to this problem.
“As Britain’s leading business-to-business express delivery carrier we have an important role to play in helping the authorities tackle international counterfeiting. We are keen to continue to support FACT and Customs and Excise in their valuable work.”
Mick Buchan, Senior Investigator for FACT, said: “I’d like to thank TNT for their vigilance - by working together we can crack a major global criminal industry in counterfeiting.
“If people are offered cheap DVDs in pubs or on the street this Christmas we would urge them to think very carefully before buying as these films could well be counterfeited.
“Piracy on this scale involves organised crime and costs the film industry £400 million a year. Not only can that mean job losses in this country but also customers buying fake DVDs often end up with a poor quality product.”
According to FACT, 98% of pirate DVDs coming into Britain are produced in the Far East. The DVDs cost just 25p to make and sell in this country for up to £10 – yet many of them are poor quality.
(GB)