Published: Monday, 16th February, 2009 12:00pm

Thousands of fake DVDs in Slough

Print | Email

MORE than 3,000 fake DVDs of blockbuster movies including Oscar nominated Slumdog Millionaire have been seized in Slough.

The counterfeits were either pirate copies or did not bear a classification and were discovered from travelling traders who came into the borough to sell their wares on the street, in pubs and factories from their rucksacks.

The movies were seized by Slough Trading Standards team over the last two months as part of a crack down on the sales and hire of illegal DVDs.

Dean Cooke, technical officer for Slough Borough Council, said: "We're really pleased with all the DVDs we've seized, but know there are many more out there. The sale and rent of counterfeit and pirate films is not just a victimless crime. Honest retailers lose out, tax and VAT is not paid on the product, jobs losses occur, and there are known connections to drug sales, people smuggling and terrorism."

Anyone caught selling or renting out fake DVDs can get a fine or up to ten years in prison.