Piracy hits DVD sales in France

FROM VARIETY: Figures show a market decline of 11%

By David Hayhurst of Variety -- Video Business, 1/16/2008

JAN. 16 | FROM VARIETY: PARIS -- DVD sales have fallen for the third consecutive year in France, according to preliminary data released by the French Digital Video Federation.

The advocacy group's figures show a market decline of 11% in value and 10% in sales volume last year. Rough preliminary estimates put 2007 DVD sales at around 125 million units, down from more than 136 million in 2006.

Federation general director Jean-Yves Mirski sees more than a few culprits behind the DVD industry's losses in France.

"Piracy is the main reason. The French are the European piracy champions, both because of the extent of broadband concentration, and us being such a nation of cinephiles," he said.

Read the full story on Variety.com.

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