AFP seizes computers from pirate DVD house

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have raided a house in Canberra's north-west, seizing computer equipment used for manufacturing illegal DVDs and shutting down a website offering them for sale.

ACT Policing said a 49-year-old male was assisting police with their inquiries.

A search of the house, located at Belconnen, allegedly turned up some 6,500 pirated movie DVDs.

A website where the DVDs were sold was located by investigators from the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT), which supported police. The DVDs were allegedly being sold for $6 each.

"We acknowledge the important work carried out today by ACT Policing in closing down this website and DVD burning operation," AFACT executive director Neil Gane said.

"Piracy is not a victimless crime: It directly impacts local businesses like cinemas and DVD stores and the people they employ."

AFACT said web sites selling fake DVDs could be spotted if the discs were being sold "way below what you'd expect to pay for a genuine DVD" and "if some of the movie titles being offered for sale are still screening at Australian cinemas."

An estimated 780,000 pirated DVDs were destroyed last November as a result of similar seizures by NSW, Victorian and Federal Police officers.