Geldof thwarts 'Live Aid pirate'

By Ian Youngs
BBC News Online entertainment staff

Bob Geldof was not involved in the raid

Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof has led police to a suspected music pirate who is accused of selling DVDs of the 1985 charity concert over the internet.

Police arrested a man in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, in a raid last week. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) said a 10-DVD set was on sale for £110.

BPI director of anti-piracy Dave Martin said Geldof was "really sickened" to find the DVDs being sold.

The man was arrested and bailed without charge pending further enquiries.

Geldof spotted the DVDs on sale at the end of last year and told his lawyers to alert authorities, who launched an investigation.

Geldof (right) met Prince Charles and Princess Diana at Live Aid

Police and BPI investigators tracked down the site to Skelmersdale and carried out the raid on Thursday.

A PC and a small quantity of Live Aid DVDs were recovered. Discs of other concerts by bands like Pink Floyd and U2 were also found.

Geldof was not involved after the initial tip-off, Mr Martin told BBC News Online.

"Once somebody makes a complaint, they take a step backwards and leave it to the authorities," he said.

"But I think he felt really sickened by the fact that somebody was making money from these DVDs that should have been going to charity."

Outrage

Live Aid was one of the most momentous music events in recent history, taking place in London and Philadelphia and featuring stars including U2, Queen and Madonna.

It was prompted by a global outrage at the famine in Ethiopia, and raised money to help the starving.

Mr Martin said pirates often kept small stocks of discs in case they were discovered - and only made new copies when required.

The computer's hard disc would now be examined to get an idea of how many copies were sold, he added.