Potter to become pirate king

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is set to become one of the most pirated films of all time.

11:02 03 June 2004

Not content with smashing the UK record for takings on an opening day, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is set to become one of the most pirated films of all time.

Analysts have predicted that illicit copies of the latest film about the boy wizard will hit shady stalls by Sunday - less than a week after its release.

Cinemas have stepped up efforts to prevent people from recording the film in theatres, going as far as issuing ushers with night vision goggles to catch pirates in the act.

But people in the know believe that copies are set to flood the country from the Far East.

Police are doing all they can but the public keeps buying regardless.

"It is clear these DVDs have come from abroad. People must realise it is a breach of the law to buy these DVDs, just as it is to sell them," a senior London police officer said today.

The top ten pirated films at the moment have been revealed by The Daily Star.

1 - Troy
2 - Van Helsing
3 - The Day After Tomorrow
4 - Shrek 2
5 - Kill Bill: Vol. 2
6 - Scooby Doo 2
7 - Kill Bill: Vol. 1
8 - Hellboy
9 - Godsend
10 - Lord of the Rings: Return of the King