Music Thieves Sentenced In Major Federal Internet Pre-Release Piracy Operation

WASHINGTON - May 19, 2006 - [Today, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg of the Eastern District of Virginia announced sentences for three members of pre-release music piracy groups involved in the federal crackdown “Operation FastLink.” According to the Department of Justice, one individual, of Danville, Va., was sentenced to 15 months in prison. A second individual, of Hillsboro, Ore., was sentenced to six months in prison/six months home confinement. The third individual, of Charlotte, N.C., received a sentence of six months home confinement. The case was prosecuted by Jay V. Prabhu, trial attorney for the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. For more information, please see: www.usdoj.gov

The Operation FastLink investigations target individuals and organizations, known as “warez” release groups, that specialize in the Internet distribution of pirated materials. Release groups are the first-providers – the original source for most of the pirated works traded or distributed online. The repercussions of music pre-release piracy, in which an early version of an album is made available illegally over the Internet, are far-reaching. Pre-release piracy can interfere with the vision that the artist had for the music, as well as marketing strategies of the album and the significant commercial investment of everyone involved in creating, producing and distributing it.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released the following statement from Brad Buckles, Executive Vice President, Anti-Piracy.]
 

“We are pleased with the court’s action today. In sentencing these defendants, the court has spoken loud and clear: the organized theft of music by sophisticated piracy operations is a serious crime with serious consequences. The quest for early copies of albums or individual tracks to post online for illegal pre-release distribution is no game. It is theft. And it shatters the carefully crafted plans of artists and their record companies to bring music to market at the time and in the way they choose. We are grateful to the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg for their ongoing efforts to address this highly destructive form of piracy.”

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAAŽ members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAAŽ also certifies GoldŽ, PlatinumŽ, Multi- Platinum™ and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.