Universal Studios sues hawkers for selling pirated DVDs

Matthew Vella

Universal Studios’ local representative Visco Enterprises has filed a lawsuit against open market hawkers (tal-monti) allegedly selling pirated DVDs.
The case is considered to be the first of its kind in the ongoing campaign to clamp down on film piracy in Malta. Visco Enterprises is requesting damages in view of illegitimate copying and selling and rentals of Universal titles.
Visco are requesting damages for any title rented or sold on Region 1 or any other region not authorised by the licensee. Region 1 DVDs (USA and Canada area) cannot be sold or rented in Europe since it is a DVD Region 2 area. Police also cannot prosecute anyone reselling or renting Region 1 DVDs as long as these are genuine copies.
For the past 20 years, the war on film piracy in Malta achieved few results, with hawkers plying their trade openly in Valletta streets, selling pirated DVDs and CDs.