DVD piracy costs the film industry billions every year
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Seizures of fake DVDs are dramatically higher than the same period last year, according to anti-piracy campaigners.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) confiscated 680,000 pirate DVDs between January and March - a 41% rise on the same period last year.
The Industry Trust for IP Awareness now estimates the value of the black market DVD trade - worth £600m in 2004 - to exceed £1bn within three years.
Case studies suggest increased links between piracy and organised crime.
They include a raid carried out in east London in March that recovered "enough cocaine for 15 deals" alongside thousands of counterfeit DVDs.
"Many people turn a blind eye to the trade as it is perceived as a 'soft' crime," said Lavinia Carey, director general of the British Video Association and director of the trust.
"However, sellers are involved in a much wider web of criminality.
"Anyone who buys pirate DVDs has to open their eyes to the fact that they may inadvertently be supporting crime in their own community."
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