The Scottish software industry is stepping up its fight against computer games pirates who, it says, cost the industry �1bn a year.

Some of Scotland's largest games companies are joining forces with big name publishers such as Sony to bring more piracy cases to court.

The software industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Scottish economy, but games companies admit that revenue lost through piracy could otherwise be put into the development of new products.

Glasgow company Red Lemon said it has lost more than �1.5m due to piracy.

Trading standards

The Scottish Games Alliance is joining with the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) in an attempt to bring more of the software pirates to book.

In the past five years, ELSPA's crime unit has seized over �50m of pirated and counterfeit software across the UK.

Together they hope they will work with the police and trading standards officers to bring more piracy cases to court in Scotland.

Terry Anslow, chief investigator at the ELSPA crime unit said: "Anyone who is tempted to buy pirated computer games should remember that piracy affects local businesses both large and small.

Serious crime

"It causes job losses and economic decline by stealing honest trade.

"Consumers should also be aware that, by buying pirated games, they are lining the pockets of criminals, and probably very serious ones.

"In 80% of the raids conducted over the past year by ELSPA, we have discovered evidence of further criminal activity.

"This ranges from drug peddling and fraud to gun running and child pornography.

"By buying these counterfeits you are not only funding these criminals, you may also be coming into contact with them."