The target – at least on this occasion – is not the individuals who
use the most popular networks like Kazaa and Grokster; rather, it
is focused on the users of five peer-to-peer networks that belonged
to a group known as The Underground Network, using a
community-based P2P system called Direct Connect.
"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," said
Attorney General John Ashcroft.
"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," he added.
The six search warrants followed a joint investigation conducted
by the FBI, the Office of the US Attorney for the District of
Columbia, and the Justice Department's Computer Crime and
Intellectual Property Section. Five residences and one ISP in
Texas, New York, and Wisconsin were searched and equipment
seized.
Known as Operation Digital Gridlock, they targeted the illegal
file-sharing of copyrighted materials over the networks that
belonged to The Underground Network.
According to search warrant affidavits unsealed yesterday, these
networks required users to share "a minimum of one to 100 gigabytes
of computer files" with other users on the network. Upon becoming a
member of one of these peer-to-peer networks, each user could then
download shared files from the hard drives of all other members on
the network.
Theft through the illegal reproduction and distribution of
movies, software, games, and music is estimated to cost US
industries $19 billion worldwide each year, according to the
Justice Department.
The US entertainment industry, led by the Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA), has been trying for years to counter
the piracy.
Civil legal actions against the networks, file-swappers, the
creators of software that circumvents security features, and the
purchasers of that software have all been filed, with varying
degrees of success. The industry has also been lobbying hard for
the introduction of laws that will more fully protect it from
copyright abuses.
But until now, enforcement agencies have been unwilling to get
involved, despite having the powers to do so. The actions announced
yesterday may represent a change in attitude.
"Today we are sending a
clear message that federal law enforcement takes piracy seriously,"
said US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Kenneth L Wainstein.
"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."
The investigation is ongoing.
