The quality of the pirate DVDs of The Passion vary greatly

The film was not due to open for a month but the sheer volume of illegal copies, a common problem in Peru, forced it to be brought forward.

"We have a rogue culture - a wise-guy culture," said Martin Moscoso, head of copyright protection at Peru's consumer protection agency, Indecopi.

"People think only fools follow the rules," he added.

The quality of The Passion of the Christ DVDs varies from those filmed by hand-held cameras and high-quality ones copied from the internet with Spanish subtitles.

Pirate DVDs and music CDs, as well as designer clothes, are common in the South American country's street markets.

No deterrent

It is estimated the problem costs US companies almost $100m (�55m) in lost revenue a year, according to the International Property Alliance.

The trade group estimates just two in every 100 music CDs sold in Peru are legitimate copies.

The Peruvian government also loses millions in lost tax revenues.

But there is little to deter the pirates, according to Mr Moscoso, who said he did not know of any jail sentences for counterfeiting and suspended sentences were the usual punishment.