Cassette piracy rife in Surakarta

Cassette piracy rife in Surakarta

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Piracy of audio cassettes in this
ancient city has caused the state to lose an estimated Rp 10
million every year in unpaid taxes, a local official said
yesterday.

Spokesman for the state-owned recording company PT Lokananta
Imam Muhadi said most audio cassettes traded in the city have
been recorded and resold illegally.

He said that over 11,000 cassettes and three duplicating
machines were seized recently in a operation launched by the
local police in cooperation with the Association Indonesian
Recording Companies.

Pirated cassettes sell well because townspeople like buying
cheaper tapes, he said. (har/rms)