DTI seize pirated copies of films
November 17 2006 at 01:58PM
By Vusumuzi Ka Nzapheza
An apparently serial counterfeit goods dealer allegedly assaulted and insulted inspectors from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the SA Federation Against Copyright Theft (Safact) when they bust him in Rondebosch this week.
It was the third time the owner of the Rondebosch and Bellville businesses has been arrested for dealing in counterfeit film products.
He is involved in several civil and criminal court proceedings from previous arrests by the SA Police Service and the DTI.
'There was hope on the horizon that prosecutions will speed up'
Several hundred pirated copies of films and Playstation games were seized in the operation.
Safact chief executive officer James Lennox, who assisted the Rondebosch operation and visited the Bellville action, said the culprit assaulted and verbally abused the inspectors.
However, he said, there was hope on the horizon that prosecutions will speed up when the Cape Town Specialised Commercial Crimes Court starts operating in December.
Lennox said Safact would intensify its operations in the Cape Peninsula before the festive season, when illegitimate businesses also hope to cash in on the Christmas festive spirit.
He said he attended a presentation at Cape Town Sithengi Film Festival where it became clear to him that film-makers were worried about investing in a country where the risk of loss was high.
"The credibility of our country as a film-making destination hinges on our ability to deal with piracy, which loses the industry millions of rands every year," he said.
The man is yet to appear in court in connection with the latest arrest.
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