August 27, 2007

By By Leila Cobo, Miami

Jukeboxes have become a new target for anti-piracy efforts in Mexico. On August 21, Mexican authorities executed raids on four outlets in Mexico City and seized 12 illegal jukeboxes containing 17,000 unauthorized music tracks.

The raids, executed with help from local IFPI offices, were the first official raids in Mexico as part of a regional strategy to promote the licensing of jukeboxes. IFPI estimates there are some 10,000 illegal digital jukeboxes in Mexico with unauthorized tracks.

About 20 police units participated in the Aug. 20 raid, along with prosecutors from the attorney general's office.

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