South African Trade Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa says nearly 290 000 pirated DVDs were seized by the South African Police Service and customs officials between January and July this year.
He noted that the South African Federation Against Copyright Theft (Safact) had recently stated that 286 ,294 pirated copies of DVDs were seized by the South African Police Service and customs officials during this period.
“This figure is double the number seized in 2003,” he added. Safact represents Ster-Kinekor, Nu Metro, international film studios and makers of games such as Sony PlayStation.
Mpahlwa noted that according to research done by Ster-Kinekor, 77% of consumers cited the price as the reason for buying pirated DVDs. The results of this research had been submitted to the entertainment industry with the recommendation that the findings be considered when determining price structures.
Replying to a question from Inkatha Freedom Party MP Eugenia Shi-Chia Chang, who asked whether there were mechanisms in place to stop “this illegal industry” of pirated DVDs, the minister said: “Yes, there are mechanisms in place. The Counterfeit Goods Act of 1997 is aimed at preventing the trade in pirated and counterfeit products and preventing the release of pirated and counterfeit products into the channels of commerce.”
The act was administered by the Department of Trade and Industry and jointly enforced by it, the South African Police Service and customs officials, the minister said. – I-Net Bridge