Organized audio-film piracy rings in Bangladesh

by Special Correspondent
August 1, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/911/organized-audio-film-piracy-rings-in-bangladesh

Bangladeshi audio and film industry is greatly suffering from increasing trend of piracy of both audio and video products. Members of Rapid Action Battalion [RAB] and other intelligence agencies in cooperation with Bangladesh Film Producer's And Distributor's Association as well as apex body of Bangladeshi music companies are continuing drives to combat piracy.

In recent months a number of notorious film pirates were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion.

But, audio industry in the country is still suffering from the heinous and illegal activities of the pirates. According to information, most of the retail stores in Bangladesh, selling audio or video products are having computers inside their outlets, through which they are making fake copies of the music, drama and movie albums. Though RAB is continuing offensives on pirates, it is yet to take drastic steps in seizing computers from the outlets of retailers of audio and video products.

At Dhaka's Stadium Market, Gulistan, Patuatuli, Bashundhara City, Rajlaxmi Complex, London Plaza [Uttara], HM Plaza [Uttara], Mouchak Market, Rampura Road, Khilgaon, Shahjahanpur, Topkhana Road, New Market, Gulshan market, Rapa Plaza, Elephant road as well as in most of the towns and cities in the country, at least a few thousand computers are installed inside the retailer stores, making pirated copies of audio and video albums.

According to information, at least five million pieces of blank CD-R and DVDs are imported every month to Bangladesh, mostly from China. Even owners of some leading music companies are behind this import. It is alleged that, major portion of these imported materials go into hands of pirates, who later use blank CD-R and DVD in Bangladesh. According to existing rule, there is no import tax on CD-R and DVD as it is considered as 'Computer Accessories'.

Talking to Weekly Blitz, eminent film director Uttam Akash said, the film industry is suffering from virtual collapse due to growing trend of piracy as well non cooperation from the government in encouraging the film producers in making films in the country. He said, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation [BFDC], which has always been according credit facilities to the film producers in getting raw films has stopped the facility couple of years back. This has greatly hampered production of film in Bangladesh. Due to lower number of films produced in Bangladesh, a number of cinema halls in the country were already forced to closure.

Mr. Akash suggested the government to immediately re-open credit facilities to Bangladeshi film producers.

Meanwhile, describing the current situation in country's audio industry, Amanur Rashid, Manager of Crown Music told Weekly Blitz that, owners of music companies are suffering tremendous loss for years due to piracy. He also said that, most of the music companies are greatly deceived and virtually cheated by ring tone and caller tone companies. He also said, popular sites like YouTube are allowing people in illegally uploading music videos of various Bangladeshi music companies, which also is greatly hampering business interest of the investors.

He called upon the government to initiate drive against auido-vide pirates to save country's music industry from possible collapse. he suggested that, members of law enforcing agencies need to confiscate computers and copying equipment from various audio-video retailers stores in the country.

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