Punjab Police seized pirated DVDs, MP3s & CDs worth lakhs

AMRITSAR: On a tip-off from the Indian Music Industry (IMI), Punjab police Tuesday conducted a major anti-piracy raid at Manav Music Centre, Baba Deep Singh Marg, Amritsar, Punjab and seized a large number of pirated CDs, MP3s, DVDs and VCDs.



Police has seized total of 283 CDs from the shop worth lakhs of rupees beside titles and MP3s of various hit and famous movies in Hindi, Punjabi and English languages. Police has registered a case against the owner of the property, Mani Hans in Amritsar police station. 

Commenting on the raid, Secretary General, IMI Savio D'Souza, said, “IMI is committed to its fight against piracy and will ensure that 2009 yields quality results. Indian music industry is suffering from huge losses because of piracy that not only hurts the commercial interests of licensed manufacturers but also has the potential of damaging the country's economic and social fabric. Such raids not only prove to be a benefit for the industry but also boost the morale of artists. “

The Information that the aforementioned shop is dealing in pirated music material was shared by Sansar Chand Sharma, Investigator, IMI with the police.

Piracy has been evolving and expanding its footprints in India. According to IMI, physical format of piracy alone dents a loss of Rs. 600 crores annually to Indian Music Industry. Music Industry is today witnessing new formats of piracy such a Mobile Chip Piracy which roughly estimates a loss of another Rs. 300 crores.