BPI Investigators assisted police officers in seizing hundreds of counterfeit Asian music and film CDs and DVDs from six stalls at the Ealing Road Market in Southall last weekend after complaints from legitimate retailers in the area. This follows a court decision last month where Mohammed Rafiq Usman – who traded in East London as Bollywood Music of Green Street - was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,150 after pleading guilty to charges under the Trademarks and Video Recordings Acts.
Talking about both incidents David Martin, Director of Anti Piracy at the BPI stated, "Legitimate retailers are being forced out of business by these illicit traders, so I am encouraged by the size of the fine awarded against Mr Usman."