The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has lauded Malaysia's efforts in fighting against piracy and protecting intellectual property rights.

In a statement, the MPA highlighted a raid conducted by Malaysian police earlier this month, in which six VCD (video compact disc) replicating lines were seized and four suspects were arrested.

"The seizure of six replicating machines by the Royal Malaysia Police sends a strong message to copyright pirates that Malaysia is making a strong commitment to intellectual protection, and is determined to fight hard against the pirates who so badly damage the country's economy and reputation," said MPA's Asia Pacific senior vice president and regional director Mike Ellis.

In 2006, Malaysian law enforcement authorities seized or sealed 14 DVD and 11 VCD replicating machines that were suspected of having been used to manufacture pirated optical discs, said the statement. The seized machines were capable of producing more than 87 million pirated discs in a year, it added.

The MPA is the international arm of the Motion Picture Association of America. Headquartered in Los Angeles, its Asia Pacific office is in Singapore.

In Japan, the police and MPA representatives have shuttered a video shop and DVD-R burning lab capable of turning out 2 million pirated pics a year, worth around ¥600 million ($4.96 million), according to Variety.

Authorities arrested three Brazilian men suspected of running the lab in Obu City, in the Aichi province, and seized 60 DVD-R burners and pirated DVD-Rs, including the titles Zathura and X-Men: The Last Stand.
The three suspects were charged with pirating goods with intent to sell.

"This raid underscores the determination of Japanese police agencies to crack down on illegal movie piracy," said Ellis.

Story filed 28.01.07