The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has singled out Melbourne’s Caribbean Gardens as one of the world’s most notorious physical markets of piracy in its latest submission to Office of the US Trade Representative. And yes, you read that right.
In its submission, acquired by TorrentFreak, the MPAA notes:
Caribbean Gardens and Markets is Australia’s largest undercover market at over 10,000 sqm, operating every Wednesday and Sunday. There are between 10-20 individual market sellers offering counterfeit Region 1 & 2 DVDs, together with other sellers offering burnt DVDs of recently released titles. The total number of sellers, while substantially reduced from mid-2000s, has increased recently due to a lack of enforcement. State and federal police have shown no interest in enforcing the issue despite multiple entreaties from right holders.
Caribbean Gardens was number two in that list, only beaten – for lack of a better word – two markets in Ukraine. Also on that list were markets in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand and Canada. No, seriously. Canada managed to make that list too.
Piracy has been a problem for Caribbean Garden for years – and it is not limited to movies. Counterfeit software, video games, and clothing can also be purchased from the market – despite being against Caribbean Gardens’ terms (which state clearly “the sale of stolen or counterfeit goods is a criminal offence and is prohibited”) and numerous police raids over counterfeit goods sold in the market.
We’ve asked Victoria Police for comment about the MPAA’s claim about they not showing an “interest in enforcing the issue”.