Anti-Piracy Focus On Glasgow Continues

GLASGOW, UK (BPI) - On Saturday October 19, the notorious Barras market in Glasgow was the site of a co-ordinated raid by Strathclyde police officers and investigators from industry organisations BPI and FACT representing music and software companies. Over 100,000 pirate CDs and DVDs were seized during the raid. The action closely follows the discovery last month of a counterfeit music and film factory based in the Cambuslang area of Glasgow, thought to be supplying the Barras market.

The raid will form part of the dossier of evidence of criminal activity at the market, which is currently being compiled by the recently formed Scottish retailers' pressure group. The group was set up at the beginning of September and its main aim is to convince the authorities of the need for effective enforcement at the Glasgow market, thought to be the largest counterfeit market in Great Britain.

David Martin, Director of Anti-Piracy at the BPI, stated: "The Barras Market is unfortunately one of the worst examples in Europe for the sale of pirated goods. The market site is owned and licensed by Glasgow City Council and I would now call upon them to improve the structure of control over the activities of numerous individuals trading in illegal product. We've already seen the recent closure of Tower Records in Glasgow and the continued piracy situation in the Barras will seriously jeopardise the survival of Scottish record retailers."