According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), two of every five recordings sold throughout the world are illicit copies. Organized crime syndicates specializing in CD-piracy operations significantly contributed to a 50% increase in piratical product - a staggering 950 million units estimated to be worth $4.3 billion - with commercial CD-R pirate sales alone tripling to 450 million units.

Commenting on IFPI's Music Piracy Report, Jay Berman, IFPI Chairman and CEO said: "Piracy is sometimes and mistakenly called a 'victimless crime'. It is not. The economic losses due to piracy are enormous and they are felt throughout the music value chain. Piracy also nurtures organized crime across the world, and it stunts investment, growth and jobs."

Countries in the spotlight where piracy is at a rate of over 25% and notably worsening include: Brazil, Central America, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand and Russia. Ukraine, where the United States has imposed sanctions over the failure to effectively regulate optical disc plants, remains a largely pirate market, and is also still a main distribution point for pirate CDs.

Actions by enforcement authorities, assisted by the music industry, contained the spread of music piracy. There was a sharp increase in the number of discs seized and pirate lines dismantled, mainly in South East Asia and Latin America.

Various international artists have come to Pretection to solve this problem themselves. Pretection's Online Sales Monitoring Service makes it possible to track the online sales of counterfeit cd's and video's and identify the persons behind the website selling them. According to the client's wishes action is taken against these illegal organisations. Case written Cease and Desist Notices can be sent, or more radical legal actions can be taken immediately.