Authorities raided five residences and and an Internet service provider Wednesday morning in the first federal criminal enforcement action against private peer-to-peer (P2P) (define) networks.
Search warrants were executed in Texas, New York and Wisconsin as part of an investigation into the illegal distribution of copyrighted movies, software, games and music over P2P networks. Federal agents seized computers, software and computer-related equipment in the raids.
"Today's actions send an important message to those who steal over the Internet. When online thieves illegally distribute copyrighted programs and products, they put the livelihoods of millions of hard-working Americans at risk and damage our economy," U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
Ashcroft said the joint investigation by the FBI, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Justice Department's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, known as Operation Gridlock, "disrupted an extensive peer-to-peer network suspected of enabling users to traffic illegally in music, films, software and published works."
; "The Blogger")
;)
;)
;)
;)
; "A honeycomb")