DVD anti-piracy campaign places spotlight on serious crime

Evidence of the links between piracy and serious crime was strengthened with the recent publication of a new report containing detailed case studies compiled by the Industry Trust for IP Awareness.
The report timed to coincide with World Anti Counterfeiting Day on June 15th highlights cases that reveal many pirate DVD 'traders' are part of a framework of criminality, which also includes drugs and offensive weapons.
The Trust revealed that in the first quarter of 2005 seizures of pirate DVDs, in the main by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), are already, 41% higher than the same period last year. The value of this black market DVD trade is estimated to be £600 million in 2004 and is expected to exceed £1 billion within three years.
The case studies compiled by the Trust include DVD piracy raids carried out in the past 12 months by FACT, including seizure operations in Glasgow, Manchester, the North-West, Northumbria, and East London that were linked to drugs offences and other serious criminal offences.
Commenting on the campaign, Lavinia Carey, Director General of the British Video Association, and Director of the Trust, said: "Many people are concerned about levels of crime and disorder in their own communities and we have already seen various initiatives, including ASBOs, to attempt to counter this. Yet conversely, many people turn a blind eye to the trade in pirate DVDs as it is perceived as a 'soft' crime, which doesn't harm anyone.
"However, as these case studies clearly demonstrate, the sellers of pirate DVDs are involved in a much wider web of criminality that also embraces drug dealing and exploitation of minors. There is no getting away from this reality. Anyone who buys pirate DVDs has to open their eyes to the fact that they may inadvertently be supporting crime in their very own community."
Trading Standards Institute Lead Officer for Counterfeiting, Bryan Lewin, said: "Trading standards officers are at the front line in the fight against DVD piracy, often operating with very stretched resources in difficult or dangerous conditions.
"We, therefore, give wholehearted support to the Trust in its efforts to open the eyes of consumers to the fact that the money they spend on illegal DVDs is often going straight into the pockets of criminals."
The Trust has set up a campaign hotline on 0845 60 34567 for members of the public to report cases of DVD piracy anonymously, or they can visit www.piracyisacrime.com to file a report.
(SP)