Brasília, August 8, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - 35% of the market for audiovisual products is dominated by pirated goods, causing the industry to lose approximately US$ 120 million each year, according to data released by the Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property at the opening of the sixth regular meeting of the Interministerial Committee to Combat Piracy, in the Ministry of Justice.

"Every civilized country in which the capitalist system functions needs these protections and this network," affirmed the Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos. The Minister believes it is important to combat this misdemeanor right from its roots, since it can grow and open the doors to organized crime. "This is a war that we want to win, and the only way we can win is to attack on all fronts," he declared.

The Interministerial Committee was created in March, 2001, for the purpose of formulating, coordinating, promoting, implementing, and stimulating programs of prevention, education, and repression to combat the violation of copyright laws. One of the committee's priorities is to increase popular awareness of the harm caused by the practice of product falsification.

The plan is to conduct educational campaigns through the media, with the participation of associations and entities dedicated to the protection of intellectual property.

The committee is formed by representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Culture, Finance, Foreign Relations, Science and Technology, and Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade. The organ is headed by Federal Police commissioner, Clôvis da Silva Monteiro. (DAS)