The Russian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced details of a nationwide series of actions against music pirates last week, dubbed "Operation Counterfeit". It targeted production, storage, distribution and retail outlets of counterfeit CD and DVD pirates throughout the Russian Federation. All divisions and sub-divisions of the Economic Crime Police participated in the actions between 22nd and 29th October 2007.
Over 3.7 million pirate discs containing film and music repertoire of both international and Russian origin were seized after visits and raids on approximately 29,670 premises. The estimated retail value of the recovered product was 147 million roubles (US$6 million). In addition, 1,127 criminal cases and 4,270 administrative cases for summary offences were initiated throughout the Russian Federation.
"'Operation Counterfeit' has generated wide-scale publicity in Russia and it is hoped that such action, coming shortly before the busy Christmas period, will deter the expected increase in pirate sellers of both music and movies," said Nick Roberts, Senior International Investigator for IFPI's Anti-Piracy Enforcement team.
Source:
Press Release
"'Operation Counterfeit' has generated wide-scale publicity in Russia and it is hoped that such action, coming shortly before the busy Christmas period, will deter the expected increase in pirate sellers of both music and movies," said Nick Roberts, Senior International Investigator for IFPI's Anti-Piracy Enforcement team.
Source:
Press Release
