A large quantity of over 1000 counterfeit DVD’s were seized by Trading Standards and Police Officers last week when they swooped on a man selling the ‘pirate’ movies and console games at Troon Harbour. The majority of the haul, around 700 DVD’s, together with a quantity of expensive computer hardware used to make the copies, was discovered when Trading Standards Officers and Police later raided his home in Ayrshire.

The seizure followed a tip off received when South Ayrshire Trading Standards launched a new initiative to root out the sellers of counterfeit products such as DVD movies, computer games and music CD’s, and asked the public to help them. A poster and leaflet campaign has targeted illegal copying from the counterfeiters own homes and early signs are that the net is closing in. This new initiative runs alongside an existing Trading Standards scheme targeted at preventing counterfeit sellers peddling their goods in work places.

South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Vice Convener,

Councillor McIntosh added, “This type of criminal activity threatens the livelihood of local businesses that pay taxes and create employment. The people involved in counterfeiting almost never pay taxes or national insurance and some even claim benefits. I would urge anyone with any information on this type of activity to contact us in strict confidence on our dedicated line 01292 616403.”

A 58-year-old man is to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal at Ayr.

Trading Standards can also be contacted at 5-7 River Terrace, Ayr, 01292 616060, by e-mail at cabac@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or through our website
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

March 2006