An audacious fake DVD gang who kept supermarket-type shelves of the latest Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters, has been smashed in Birmingham, England, acting on intelligence from the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

In a three-part raid, the police targeted a house that was being used as a manufacturing unit, an apartment which operated as a distribution centre, and a vehicle used to ferry merchandise between the two locations.

The house contained 12 copying towers, capable of burning 164 discs at a time, as well as high quality print DVD sleeve inserts. The city centre apartment contained neat stacks of DVDs, all categorised for easy distribution, with one room containing pornography, and the other the latest Hollywood and Bollywood releases. Oscars contender Precious, and Bollywood blockbuster My name is Khan, which only had a UK release on 12 February, were amongst the haul seized.

It is understood that ‘foot soldiers’ would regularly visit the apartment to stock up on the latest releases, which would then be sold on the street for as little as £3 each. It is estimated that every day, 10,000 copies were being produced.

The original copies are believed to originate from China. Four individuals have been charged with possession of goods for supply which falsely bear a registered Trade Mark and remanded in custody. The penalty, if convicted, can be up to ten years imprisonment.

Story filed 02.03.10