Bootleg music and movie sales are a bigger problem in the Czech Republic than anywhere else in the European Union, according to the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry).

Along the borders between Germany and Austria, there are markets openly selling pirated goods to tourists, and Stefan Krawczyk, European deputy director of the IFPI said that there are now not only these stalls and kiosks but also an increasing number of brick-and-mortar stores selling virtually only illegal goods. "Music, games, films, sports shoes, cigarettes, everything you could dream of."

Krawczyk recently presented government officials with a list of changes that would help to combat this rash of piracy. "This is very serious problem at the heart of Europe, which we have highlighted to the Czech government for the last three to four years, but with no results," he said.

However, officials are working on new laws to tackle the issue, said Ladislava Votavová, head of the multilateral and common trade policy department at the Industry and Trade Ministry. "Some of the IFPI's proposals seem reasonable and might be realized in the near future," said Votavová said. (Source: oto-online.com)

Story filed 29.07.07