• RSS
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook

Security Forums

Log in

FAQ | Search | Usergroups | Profile | Register | RSS | Posting Guidelines | Recent Posts

Suspected piracy ringleader indicted - DrinkorDie

Users browsing this topic:0 Security Fans, 0 Stealth Security Fans
Registered Security Fans: None
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version    Networking/Security Forums Index -> Connectivity // Telecommunications // Internet News

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
ShaolinTiger
Forum Fanatic
Forum Fanatic


Joined: 18 Apr 2002
Posts: 16777215
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Offline

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2003 12:12 pm    Post subject: Suspected piracy ringleader indicted - DrinkorDie Reply with quote

The suspected leader of one of the Internet's oldest piracy groups has been indicted and his extradition from Australia is being sought, a U.S. federal attorney said Wednesday.

A federal grand jury in Connecticut charged Hew Raymond Griffiths of Bateau Bay, Australia, with one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and one count of copyright infringement related to his alleged role in leading the software piracy group called DrinkorDie.

DrinkorDie illegally copied and distributed more than $50 million worth of pirated software, movies, games and music, according to a press release issued by the office of U.S. attorney Paul McNulty.

"Griffiths thought he was beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement," McNulty said in a statement. "He will be proved wrong. We will seek formal extradition from Australia in the coming weeks, but for now, the message should be clear: no matter who you are or where you live, if you steal the intellectual property rights of individuals and businesses, we will not stop at our borders to find you and bring you to justice."

Griffiths, who McNulty said went by the screen nickname "Bandido," faces up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted on both counts. According to the indictment, he oversaw the illegal operations of DrinkorDie, which was founded in Russia in 1993 and largely dismantled by federal authorities in 2001. The group specialized in "cracking" software by circumventing embedded copyright protections and distributing it via the Internet. The group used encryption and other sophisticated security measure to cover their tracks, according to the Justice Department.

Griffiths' indictment was a result on an ongoing investigation of online piracy lead by the Justice Department and U.S. Customs called "Operation Buccaneer". The operation has lead to 20 convictions on charges of felony copyright infringement, according to the Justice Department.

Source: http://rss.com.com/2100-1028-992373.html?tag=lh


Last edited by ShaolinTiger on Thu Mar 13, 2003 2:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rayxen
Just Arrived
Just Arrived


Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1
Location: Australia

Offline

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2003 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not good for the ware$ scene but good for the legitimate users - take down the pirates. Scary thought that such a large bust is happening down here in Australia. What is your source for that info?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Giro
New Member
New Member


Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 22
Location: England

Offline

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2003 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right in front of you Wink Source: http://rss.com.com/2100-1028-992373.html?tag=lh
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rayxen
Just Arrived
Just Arrived


Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1
Location: Australia

Offline

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OMG - I don't know how I missed that. I think I must have been unbelievable tired. Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   

Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version    Networking/Security Forums Index -> Connectivity // Telecommunications // Internet News All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1


 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Community Area

Log in | Register