Million Pound Pirate Video Games Stash Raid

Tuesday 16th December 2003/... An anti-piracy operation executed by ELSPA (the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association), Staffordshire Trading Standards and local Police in Cannock, Staffordshire came to a highly successful close on Sunday 14th December, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit games with a total estimated street value in excess of one million pounds.

The operation, targeting illegal traders at Wellington Drive Car Boot Sale, took place over two weekends with the first raid netting over 35,000 counterfeit discs, a third of which were games titles. The authorities then raided the market again, resulting in the discovery of three stalls selling counterfeit product. The vendors fled the market, leaving behind 37,000 games, music and film discs.

Whilst assessing the goods an ELSPA investigator was assaulted by an individual who was trying to loot one of the stalls. The assailant was arrested on location. Members of the team also had their vehicles' tyres slashed.

Roger Bennett, director general of ELSPA commented: "ELSPA wishes to applaud the actions of those authorities involved who helped to bring this particular investigation to a successful conclusion. This highly successful seizure of counterfeit video games - worth over one million pounds - represents one more step in our ongoing efforts to rid the streets of illegal product and help consumers to avoid disappointment in this festive season."

ELSPA (The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association) represents the interests of the UK games publishers. It has a dedicated anti piracy unit with investigators based across the UK and often works closely with the Police and Trading Standards to combat computer games piracy.