The Recording Industry Association Of America has applauded a crackdown on a BitTorrent network by the FBI and other federal agencies in the US. BitTorrent networks allow a special kind of file sharing which makes it easier to transfer large files. They are particularly useful for the transfer of movies or large software packages, although the music industry sees any honing of P2P technology as a threat to them too.
The BitTorrent network targeted in the latest anti-piracy assault was the Elite Torrents network, which came to wider public attention earlier this month when a copy of Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith became available via its servers hours before the movie opened in US cinemas. Federal authorities reckon the film was downloaded 10,000 times via the network before they located and seized the Elite Torrent server. Agents have also issued ten search warrants in a bid to track down the people behind the piracy enabling network.
Commenting on the FBI's action, the RIAA's Brad Buckles told reporters this week: "This action recognizes that theft is theft, regardless of whether it's done on BitTorrent or by an individual shoplifting from a local record store."