p2pnet - rss feed: Hollywood sniffers in Dubai
p2pnet.net News:- Miracle Hollywood sniffer dogs Lucky and Flo are in the news again. They’ve been trotted out in Dubai and Malaysia, generating instant press attention which is, of course, their primary function. Apparently, also on hand were interested parties from more than 10 countries, including Holland, the UK and South Africa.
Because the two labrador retrievers can achieve feats unequalled by any customs agent.
They’re able to detect optical discs by mere scent alone, says Hollywood’s MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). And lamescream media around the world are lapping it up.
“In 2004, the MPA [an MPAA clone] undertook a feasibility study to determine whether dogs could be trained to detect polycarbonate and other chemicals used in optical discs,” it said in October this year, going on:
A trainer in Northern Ireland known for training dogs to locate and identify bombs trained Lucky and Flo to find optical discs in large and small packages and containers.
After eight months of training, Lucky and Flo undertook their first major live test, working with H.M. Revenue and Customs and FedEx at Stansted Airport in the United Kingdom. They were immediately successful in identifying packages containing DVDs and detecting even the smallest amount of product in very large containers.
The Stansted Airport test was the first time dogs had been used anywhere in the world to search for counterfeit DVDs and proved that they could work in a busy airport Customs environment.
There is, however, one slight difficulty.
Lucky and Flo can’t sniff the difference between CDs and DVDs, burned and replicated discs, or legitimate and pirate discs, admits the MPAA.
But in drift-net exercises similar to fishing expeditions routinely employed by MPAA brother organization the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), “because legitimate shipments of optical discs are generally registered on shipping manifests, the dogs will be valuable in locating discs being shipped in unlikely or unregistered containers, which may contain pirated CDs or DVDs,” says the MPA puff-piece. Of course, on the other hand, they may not contain anything of the sort.
But nothing ventured, etc. And will Hollywood worry if shipments are held up while Lucky and Flo go fishing?
Meanwhile, as the item points out, the dogs were due for a jaunt to Dubai and there, the Khaleej Times states they’re able to, “dig out pirated CDs and DVDs” as an undisputed fact. “This was demonstrated yesterday by the Arab Anti-Piracy Union in association with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) at the Rashid Port in Dubai,” says the story.”We are used to dogs sniffing out explosives, firearms or drugs, but to be able to sniff out optical discs from luggage, that’s new,” Scott Butler, President of the Arab Anti-piracy Union, said.
No kidding.
The Khaleej Times closes with Ahmad bin Zaal, head of the Anti-Customs Crimes Tracking Unit, promising, “I think the new mechanism will be adopted by the Dubai Customs as soon as it’s approved by the authorities.”
Then, following their successful appearance in the UAE, F&L went to Malaysia where, “The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is co-operating with the Motion Picture Association (MPA),” says The Straits Times, going on:
“Sources said the proposal to bring in the animals was accepted by ministry officials who could use whatever help they can get to act against the pirates. Negotiations are proceeding to bring the dogs and their trainer, Neil Powell.
“The dogs will be in Malaysia for about two months and will be taken to several places, including shopping malls. The dogs are also likely to visit airports and cargo areas, and suspected illegal optical disc factories.
“Post offices and export centres could also have the dogs as ‘guests’.”
Where will Lucky and Flo show up next? And when willl their first court appearance be?
Stay tuned.
Also See:
Hollywood sniffer dogs - Hollywood goes to the dogs, September 22, 2006
Khaleej Times - Dogs to sniff out pirated CDs, DVDs from luggage, November 30, 2006
The Straits Times - Expert duo to ‘sniff out’ disc pirates, December 3, 2006
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