Pirates cost film industry pounds 500m

More than half the population has bought a pirated video tape, causing a loss of more than pounds 500m to the film and video industry, according to the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact).

Television presenter Jenny Powell (pictured) joined the launch of a pirate video amnesty yesterday. Fact is made up of film companies and the retailer WH Smith, and asks the public to hand in pirate videos to stores throughout the country between now and 5 May. The returned tapes will be recycled to help raise money for the NCH Action for Children's "House of Youth 2000" campaign. More than 1,200 video stores nationwide are accepting the tapes. The organisation stressed the dangers of pirated videos, saying they help fund pornography, drugs and terrorism. Matthew Brace