Int'l recording industry asks Pakistan to crackdown on piracy

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (PTI): Pakistan is one of world's top producers and exporters of pirated CDs and DVDs, with illegal factories producing over 230 million discs in 2004 before authorities launched a crackdown.
The government has shown strong political will and understanding to check piracy and has closed down at least half a dozen illegal optical disc plants that were affecting domestic and international repertoire, International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI) director Stefan Krawczyk said here yesterday.
The IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide, with over 1,450 members in more than 75 countries and affiliated industry associations in 48 countries
Despite the crackdown, piracy remains big business in Pakistan. Pirated copies of the music albums from around the world are available in markets in the Pakistani capital for Rs.90 or less, while the latest movies, including from Bollywood and Hollywood, are sold for a few hundred rupees.
Krawczyk said the authorities needed to raid retail shops selling pirated software and review copyright laws to introduce stricter penalties.
The pirates dominate the market as original copies of most music albums and movies are hard to come by in Islamabad and most other Pakistani cities.

The government can help create an environment of trust "where the locals trust us and we trust the locals, so that long- term business ventures can emerge."