Campaign fights homegrown DVD piracy

£1m campaign aims to stamp out DVD piracy in Britain

The Industry Trust for Intellectual Property Awareness (ITIPA) is launching a £1m campaign to stamp out DVD piracy in Britain. 

The group's campaign, launched by TV presenter Jonathon Ross, aims to stop the growing problem of homegrown DVD piracy.

Figures from the Federation Against Copyright Theft show that, while imported pirated DVD seizures are falling, homegrown pirated DVD seizures are up 133 per cent on last year. 

Lavinia Carey, director general of the ITIPA, said: "The problem of DVD piracy has not gone away but has evolved over the past 12 months.

"This is illustrated by the increased presence of pirated DVDs for sale via online auction sites and the growth in fake discs manufactured in the UK.

"Members of the public need to open their eyes to what is happening. Our message is simple: if you buy pirated DVDs you are funding criminal activity in your own community."

The campaign aims to raise awareness among consumers that serious criminals lie behind the seemingly innocuous pirated DVD trade, and that consumers are supporting crime by buying pirated DVDs from car boot sales and street traders.