The famous stadium in Rio de Janeiro where soccer players like Rivelino, Zico and Romário used to destroy defense teams held a different event last January 20th the date that the cariocas (natives of Rio de Janeiro) celebrate their patron saint San Sebastian.
Maracanã was the place chosen by authorities involved in the fight against counterfeiting in Rio de Janeiro for the destruction of one million counterfeited CDs, DVDs and video tapes with an estimated value of 5 million dollars.
The choice of the important holiday and of one of the most important icons of the city for the event was aimed to call the attention of the general public to the counterfeiting problem in the State of Rio de Janeiro which is already the 3rd Brazilian State on counterfeiting activity behind São Paulo and Paraná.
The event was organized by law enforcement officials such as the police officer in charge of the Precinct for the Repression of Crimes related to Immaterial Property Mr. Marco Aurélio Ribeiro, the secretary of public security of the State of Rio de Janeiro Mr. Marcelo Itagiba, public attorneys and congressman Julio Lopes the coordinator of the legislative committee on piracy.
Mr John Newton from the Unity of Crimes against Intellectual Property of Interpol was also present at the destruction and announced together with the local authorities that Rio de Janeiro will host next June the "1st International week on the fight against counterfeiting" an international event presided by Interpol to discuss strategies against international piracy and provide training for law enforcement officials.
Further, it was announced that a police officer from the Brazilian Federal Police will work closely with the Unity of Crimes against Intellectual Property of Interpol.
