Piracy news anyone? Well, US authorities have charged eight people who they suspect are key members of an online piracy network that is part of what techy types like to call the "warez scene". The eight people are allegedly responsible for illegally uploading thousands of music tracks, movies and software packages onto a network of servers around the world, which are then downloaded and sold by other pirates.
The arrests, which took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, followed two FBI investigations - Operation FastLink and Operation SiteDown - which involved police forces in fifteen countries. Confirming the arrests, acting Assistant Attorney General John C Richter told reporters: "Cases like these are part of the Justice Department's coordinated strategy to protect copyright owners from the online thieves who steal and then sell the products they work so hard to produce. These charges strike at the top of the copyright piracy supply chain".
Elsewhere in music piracy news, the lovable Recording Industry Association of America launched 765 new civil lawsuits against individuals expected of illegally sharing music files via P2P networks like Kazaa. The first such RIAA action since the Supreme Court ruled that P2P company Grokster could be held liable for the copyright infringement it allows, RIAA boss Cary Sherman launched the latest litigation by saying: "Last month, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that businesses that encourage the theft of music can be held accountable for their actions. We will continue to send a strong message to the users of these illicit networks that their actions are illegal, they can be identified and the consequences are real."