'Operation Counterfeit' hits Russian pirates

Moscow, 6th November 2007

The Russian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has announced details of a nationwide series of actions against music pirates, codenamed ‘Operation Counterfeit’. The raids formed part of the largest-ever such operation by the Russian authorities.

During ‘Operation Counterfeit’ the MOI targeted the 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.

A total of 29,670 premises were visited and the authorities seized 3.7 million pirate discs containing film and music repertoire of both international and Russian origin. 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.

Nick Roberts, Senior International Investigator for IFPI’s Anti-Piracy Enforcement team, says: “‘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.”