Seizures and discoveries last week include one in the UK that found eight million counterfeit cigarettes… In Italy, Rome Fiscal Police arrested 12 members of an organised criminal gang involved in the distribution of pirated CDs and DVDs seizing 70,000 discs… In the US, various counterfeit goods worth over $200,000 have been seized in a number of raids … The Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has impounded a 20ft container full of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

Cases and outcomes last week include a billion dollar lawsuit launched by Viacom against YouTube, and its owner Google, for allowing copyrighted material to be uploaded to the video streaming site… An American man was convicted of copyright infringement in the largest criminal music piracy case in the US. The man could face up to a maximum of 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine… Two US customs agents were arrested on charges that they helped smuggle counterfeit goods and drugs through JFK International Airport.

Policy developments last week include a proposed new law in the UAE to deal with criminals who sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals, it will increase maximum fines to Dh1 million and jail sentences to a maximum of 10 years.

Studies and reports out last week include one by the Motion Picture Association who found in 2007 that 2.5 billion movies were illegally downloaded via the internet, an increase of over 2.5 times compared to 2006.