19 Charged in Alleged Software Piracy Plot

Brainsur writes " A federal grand jury has indicted 19 people on charges they used the Internet to pirate more than $6.5 million worth of copyrighted computer software, games and movies.The indictment outlines an alleged plot by defendants from nine states, Australia and Barbados to illegally distribute newly released titles, including movies like "The Incredibles" and "The Aviator," and games like "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005."

Re:WTF?

[TubeSteak]

Conspiracy is usually treated harshly because we tend to assume that one person can only do so much damage. Gather other people into your crime allows you and your conspirators to side -step all the laws & procedures that are in place to prevent abuses by one person.

Conspiracy also implies premeditation, which automatically makes any crime worse.

Re:6.5 million?

[lostboy2]

What is that 6.5 million based on? Is that the retail price of the product normally?

I'm guessing that it's the "value" of the merchandise, as reported by the companies who made it.

As I understand it, companies over-inflate their products' value so it looks like they're giving you a great discount. That's why the Ronco Six Star Plus Cutlery Set [asseenontv.com] has an $850 value but is yours for only $39.95 (plus Shipping and Handling), and why all that crap they had on Wheel of Fortune [wheeloffortune.com] cost so much.

Re:See Reuters Article

[Pixelmixer]

I think 14 TB each calculation might be a bit off...

they said 23,000 CD's, which are 700 Mb each... 23,000 * 700 = 16,100,000 Mb

Divided among all 60 people... 16,100,000 / 60 = 268,333.33

all being converted into Mb/Gb or whatever it ends up being around 262 gigabytes each person.... Personally, I know more than 10 people that have 200 Gb hard drives that arent even in the computer field.

one IT person could grab a couple 200 GB hard drives or a 400GB Hard drive and easily rack up 260+ GB in music/whatever...

One thing i find interesting is... did all 60 people download different music? if so... thats a crap load of music... I'm betting that at least 40% of all the music downloaded were duplicates of the same songs

my point altogether is, its not hard for people to get less than 300 GB each.. now, im sure those people didnt ALL have that much, some probably had alot more, but averaged out, its entirely possible.

Old News?

[sobe01]

This article may be a recycle, the group mentioned "RiSCiSO" has been listed in previous cases. I would hope these guys wouldnt continue their practices, and even if they did that they would find a different name to use. Also, the DOJ has always posted press releases about their busts the same day as they happen on http://www.cybercrime.gov/ipcases.htm [cybercrime.gov]

My son is one of the 19

[supaflys mutha]

My son is one of the 19 being indicted in this absurd case. When FBI raided him (with their guns drawn).....they found him in a hospital bed at his apartment recovering from 9 hour surgery the previous day to repair a broken neck. This 26 yr old "criminal" had spent the past 5 months completely bedridden from his injury and survived it by playing games and watching movies he got from that site. I hope they throw the book at him!! Thank God for the FBI and I for one sleep much better knowing I am safe from these vicious felons and that they spend my tax dollars guarding the modest profits of the motion picture industry and little guys like Bill Gates. "Look out Osama......cuz the FBI is on to your little scheme too" Ironically.....this kid was born on none other than 9/11.....that shoulda prolly been my first clue. Hmmm I wonder if thats where they got the whole terrorist connection theory?? I gotta go throw up now....peace out!