Over 400 software pirates made to walk plank by BSA

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has just released the results of its continued crackdown on software piracy, and gave silicon.com's cameras access to its operations - a video item you'll be able to see next week.

In the first figures released since the BSA opened its European investigation headquarters in London, the organisation claims that 400 take down notices were served to European internet service providers last month, and another 250 were referred to its US or Asian offices.

The investigations are carried out from a secret location in London, and the investigative officer for BSA claimed last month it had "a 91 per cent success rate where the site is removed from the internet".

However, the process relies upon the co-operation of ISPs, so success rates can vary. Margo Miller, Head of the European internet enforcement unit, said this is because there are rogue ISPs who are unwilling to co-operate.

She said: "There is no question there is a sizeable number of rogue ISPs out there and we are certainly going to need some sort of self regulation or legislation to work through that, and to make sure there aren't pirate havens on the internet."

Mike Newton, campaign director for the BSA, said he is campaigning for the EU to change laws that could help enforcement and drive away such havens.

"We're talking to the EU about wanting to see stronger encryption laws and we're looking to have penalties introduced that fit the crime."