Seizures and discoveries last week include one of the largest counterfeiting operations in New York City’s history, which involved 50,000 pairs of fake trainers and 40,000 fake handbags… 30,000, and 8,000 pirated DVDs were seized in separate raids in Ireland and Australia respectively.

Cases and outcomes last week include the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) filing a $2.5 million copyright infringement lawsuit in Sweden against the notorious bit-torrent site The Pirate Bay… In the US a judge has ruled that users “making available” songs or other copyright files using file-sharing software does not in itself constitute infringement… Five men have been charged with software piracy in the US for their participation in a scheme that involved the large-scale illegal distribution of copyrighted software… A gang which smuggled millions of pounds of counterfeit cigarettes into Britain have been ordered to pay more than £1 million back to the state.

Policy developments last week include a number that relate to the illegal downloading of files over the internet. In the UK the ISP run by Carphone Warehouse said it was not an ISP’s job to police the internet and criticised the music industry for demanding action. Conversely, also in the UK, Virgin Media said it would implement schemes to disconnect users who illegally downloaded music over its network… In the US' state of Indiana legislation has been adopted that should help combat fake online pharmacies and counterfeit pharmaceuticals; by forcing the websites to obtain accreditation from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.