Unlicensed nightclubs in Mexico City raided

Mexico City, 26 November 2008

Police raided 11 illegally operating nightclubs in Mexico City during November. The clubs, raided between the 7th and 21st November, were playing music without authorisation from the rights holders.

The raids were carried out by around 180 police officers and officials from the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (PGR), supported by industry anti-piracy experts. The operation has led to criminal action being taken against business owners and DJs for playing counterfeit CDs.

IFPI’s affiliated national groups are supporting local music licensing agencies in their bid to ensure that all nightclubs operate legally. Their anti-piracy experts provide intelligence support to the music licensing agencies, investigating illegal jukeboxes, unlicensed nightclubs and other music providers that are operating illegally. Somexfon, the Mexican music licensing agency, alerted the investigators about suspect locations across the capital.

The nightclubs are expected to eventually sign agreements with Somexfon, enabling them to operate legally, as has happened in the aftermath of other recent raids in the country. The operation also acts as a deterrent to other nightclubs that are operating illegally.