Those who labeled ELSPA's campaign as crass should be aware that the key phrase is "80% of those people convicted". ELSPA aren't targeting the 'casual' schoolboy pirates, they are going for the growing number of hard-core criminals who now profit from selling counterfeit or pirate games. They don't even play games. These people are the ones who were previously (and still are) involved in seriously criminal activities - yes, like drugs and prostitution - and they have moved into piracy because the financial rewards are higher and the risks are much lower. The 80 per cent statement is factually correct - these are the people ELSPA are convicting these days.

One high profile case in December involved ELSPA raiding a chap who had set up a shop in the Midlands, where 40 computer systems were churning out copies 24 hours a day to supply 'traders' at car boot sales and markets. A firearm was also seized at the premises during this raid. It wasn't the first. Drugs, pornography and other stolen goods are routinely discovered at raids these days.

ELSPA's campaign was aimed at parents. If their children were obtaining pirated software, were they aware of the sort of people who supply it? As such, whether it appeared crass or not, it was a success, judging by the increased amount of calls the ELSPA Crime Unit received.

I should declare an interest in this subject and say that although I'm not employed by ELSPA I do certain freelance work for them. Some of the stories I hear from the Crime Unit are just horrendous. The people they are chasing think nothing of using physical violence or worse to escape capture. Without wishing to end on a lecture, the next time you're offered a PlayStation game for a fiver, think about who's profiting from it. And don't put your arse on the line - it's just not worth it.