By Beatrice Arnfield -
Search warrants executed on August 25th were the result of Operation Digital Gridlock, a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Justice Department's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Early in the morning of August 25th, federal agents executed six search warrants at five residences and one Internet service provider in Texas, New York, and Wisconsin. They were investigating the illegal distribution of copyrighted movies, software, games, and music over peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Computers, software and computer-related equipment were seized in the searches.
This operation targeted illegal file sharing of copyrighted materials over five P2P networks that belonged to a group known as The Underground Network.
First Enforcement
The search warrants executed on August 25th were the result of Operation Digital Gridlock, a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Justice Department's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
The raids represent the first federal enforcement action taken against criminal copyright piracy on P2P networks.
Important Message
"Today, we are sending a clear message that Federal law enforcement takes piracy seriously," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein in a statement. "It is illegal to trade in copyright-protected materials on the Internet. This is theft, plain and simple. If you are engaged in this behavior, you are on notice that you are not as anonymous as you may think."
"Today's actions send an important message to those who steal over the Internet," said Attorney General John Ashcroft in a statement. "When online thieves illegally distribute copyrighted programs and products, they put the livelihoods of millions of hard-working Americans at risk and damage our economy.
"The execution of today's warrants disrupted an extensive peer-to-peer network suspected of enabling users to traffic illegally in music, films, software and published works. The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing intellectual property laws, and we will pursue those who steal copyrighted materials, even when they try to hide behind the false anonymity of peer-to-peer networks."
The maximum penalty for criminal copyright infringement for a first-time offender is five years incarceration and a fine of US$250,000. The investigation in this case is on-going.
Source: Enterprise Security Today
