COUNTERFEIT computer software with a High Street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds was seized by tradings standards officers during a raid on two houses.

The council officers, assisted by Merseyside Police, discovered that counterfeit CDs were actually being made as they entered the houses in Clinkham Wood.

The haul included computer games, business software, Playstation games, music CDs and new release blockbuster films on CD Rom.

Some of the items seized contained software with a retail value in excess of £1,000 on a single disc.

Councillor Richard Ward, Chairman of the Housing and Environmental Services Committee, said: "This is a major success in the fight against counterfeiters and has helped protect the public and genuine traders from this illicit trade.

"Some people think these copy CDs are a bargain, but the quality is often poor, there is no documentation and these sales have a major effect on the legitimate industry.

"Manufacturers and retailers lose income, jobs suffer and long term investment is hit, and as a result new products are less likely to be developed. The public should stay clear of anyone selling obvious counterfeit software."

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