SUPERMAN RETURNS - SUPERMAN PIRACY PROMPTS POLICE CRACKDOWN

SUPERMAN PIRACY PROMPTS POLICE CRACKDOWN

Illegal copies of new blockbuster SUPERMAN RETURNS have appeared on the British version of auction website eBay just two days after its UK cinema release, sparking a massive police crackdown. The Man of Steel hit the big screen in Britain last weekend (15-16JUL06), but by Monday (17JUL06) the BRANDON ROUTH-starring movie was already available on pirate DVDs for as little as GBP5 ($9). Now police and eBay bosses are working together to curb the illegal trade, which is costing the film industry millions. A police spokeswoman says, "We are working with eBay and said that we will follow up on any criminal activity if we can, but the company has a responsibility too. There's a lot of work to be done."