More proof that, if given their rathers, the IFPI would love to see blank optical media made illegal. In a recent press release the IFPI's piracy prevention team is touting the seizure of a large quantity of blank media as a major victory against pirates. "The goods in question had been declared as 'general electronics and optical media'; and showed some "risk factors" such as origination from Taiwan that prompted Customs to conduct a more thorough review."

Here's a tip for the IFPI .. smugglers don't actually declare what they're smuggling.

Anyone who reads a lot of press releases can tell that even the IFPI isn't sure how valid this seizure really is, "The investigation continues but preliminary intelligence indicates that the declared importers were fronting for a third party suspected of providing the blank optical media to the pirate market. The estimated retail value of the media seized was almost 25 million pesos or $US8 million."

See also:
IFPI accused of playing tough with Brazilian legal scholars
11 CD-R burners, 10,000 CDRs and a gun; IFPI puts Argentinian pir...
IFPI warns UK kids of the danger of downloading
IFPI rats on 30, one convicted
IFPI says Spanish filesharing ruling not such a big deal