Bolton Trading Standards officers have carried out a series of raids to seize a huge haul of counterfeit console games, PC software and hardware, clothing and watches with a street value of GBP 500,000. Three people aged from 16-35 were arrested in the raids and released on bail. According to ELSPA, the the youngest suspect had been selling illegal goods and accepting online payment via eBay. If convicted, the suspects face a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment and/or a GBP 5000 fine.
The raids were carried out by officers from Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in co-operation with local police forces, ELSPA and other anti-piracy investigators from the film, music and clothing industries. "Piracy is damaging to all levels of the computer and video games market, costing the industry millions of pounds every year and supplying consumers with sub-standard goods," said ELSPA deputy director general Michael Rawlinson. "Catching an eBay trader shows that even using the Internet does not make illegal traders invisible. These raids represent one more step in our ongoing efforts to rid this country of counterfeiting."
News source: gamesindustry.biz
