Trade in pirate DVDs and videos is growing at an alarming rate - and the UK is one of the worst offenders in Western Europe.
In 2001, the number of illegal video products seized was 314,000, says the UK Film Council.
Just a year later this had almost doubled to 607,000 items, and by last year the figure grown to almost two million films. It is expected to soar again this year.
The lucrative piracy market is currently estimated to be worth £500m, but experts say this figure could grow to £1bn within three years.
Movie bosses are now being urged to follow the example of the music industry by making more films available to legally download on the internet.
UK Film Council Chief Executive Officer John Woodward said film piracy is "the single largest threat facing the UK film industry today".
He added: "Film pirates are not harmless Del Boy characters, they are professional criminals with links to organised crime and drugs."
The Film Council's report calls on the Government to introduce tough counter-measures to stop the pirates.
Suggestions include powers to close down markets selling pirate DVDs; making camcording films in a cinema illegal; and setting exemplary damages for those guilty of pirating films.
In 2001, the number of illegal video products seized was 314,000, says the UK Film Council.
Just a year later this had almost doubled to 607,000 items, and by last year the figure grown to almost two million films. It is expected to soar again this year.
The lucrative piracy market is currently estimated to be worth £500m, but experts say this figure could grow to £1bn within three years.
Movie bosses are now being urged to follow the example of the music industry by making more films available to legally download on the internet.
UK Film Council Chief Executive Officer John Woodward said film piracy is "the single largest threat facing the UK film industry today".
He added: "Film pirates are not harmless Del Boy characters, they are professional criminals with links to organised crime and drugs."
The Film Council's report calls on the Government to introduce tough counter-measures to stop the pirates.
Suggestions include powers to close down markets selling pirate DVDs; making camcording films in a cinema illegal; and setting exemplary damages for those guilty of pirating films.
