CRIMINALS behind pirate CDs, videos and computer games could face tougher punishments, consumer watchdogs in Hartlepool have warned.
Stricter penalties have been introduced meaning unlimited fines or up to ten years in prison for anyone producing or selling counterfeit goods.
Changes to the Copyright Act also give police extra powers to search and seize.
Michael Welsh, Hartlepool Borough Council's principal trading standards officer, said: "People selling genuine CDs, videos and computer games are suffering at the hands of counterfeiters.
"It robs law-abiding businesses of over £9bn of trade a year and puts thousands of jobs at risk, so we welcome these new tough measures."
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