Headline News

U.S. SHUTS DOWN SITES IN MAJOR PIRACY CRACKDOWN

As part of a major crackdown on copyright infringement online, the federal government has seized a number of websites, focused primarily on the illegal sharing of files and selling of counterfeit goods.

The seizures took place on November 26, 2010, when the government effectively redirected all online traffic to its own takedown notice. Visitors to the websites involved were greeted with a graphic featuring the seals of the Department of Justice, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and a badge reading “Homeland Security Investigations,” along with text that read:

“This domain name has been seized by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, pursuant to a seizure warrant issued by a United States District Court under the authority of 18 U.S.C., Sections 981 and 2323. Willful copyright infringement is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders of up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution (17 U.S.C., Section 506, 18 U.S.C., Section 2319). Intentionally and knowingly trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders of up to ten years in federal prison, a $2,000,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution (18 U.S.C., Section 2320).”

The actions involved the seizure of nearly 80 websites, including a number of popular music and movie torrent sites such as torrent-finder.com and dvdcollects.com. Additionally, a number of sites were taken down that officials said were involved in the distribution of counterfeit goods, including 2009jerseys.com, throwbackguy.com and rapgodfathers.com.

The seizures came after a US Senate committee approved a proposal allowing the federal government to shut down websites accused of aiding in computer piracy. The proposal, called the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA), allows a domain to be seized if it “has no demonstrable, commercially significant purpose or use other than” offering or providing access to unauthorized copies of copyrighted works.

The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and a number of media companies have supported the measure.

“Federal law enforcement authorities have now hung a ‘closed for business’ sign on some of the most notorious music websites that were havens for copyright theft. No anti-piracy initiative is a silver bullet, but targeted government enforcement against the worst of the worst rogue sites sends a strong message that illegally trafficking in creative works carries real consequences and won’t be tolerated.” said Mitch Bainwol, RIAA Chairman and CEO.

The sites included in the seizure action were: 2009jerseys.com, 51607.com, amoyhy.com, b2corder.com, bishoe.com, borntrade.com, borntrade.net, boxedtvseries.com, boxset4less.com, boxsetseries.com, burberryoutletshop.com, cartoon77.com, cheapscarfshop.com, coachoutletfactory.com, dajaz1.com, discountscarvesonsale.com, dvdcollectionsale.com, dvdcollects.com, dvdorderonline.com, dvdprostore.com, dvdscollection.com, dvdsetcollection.com, dvdsetsonline.com, dvdsuperdeal.com, eluxury-outlet.com, getdvdset.com, gofactoryoutlet.com, golfstaring.com, golfwholesale18.com, handbag9.com, handbagcom.com, handbagspop.com, icqshoes.com, ipodnanouk.com, jersey-china.com, jerseyclubhouse.com, jordansbox.com, lifetimereplicas.com, louis-vuitton-outlet-store.com, lv-outlets.com, lv-outlets.net, lv-outletstore.com, massnike.com, merrytimberland.com, mycollects.com, mydreamwatches.com, mygolfwholesale.com, newstylerolex.com, nfljerseysupply.com, nibdvd.com, odvdo.com, oebags.com, onsmash.com, overbestmall.com, rapgodfathers.com, realtimberland.com, rmx4u.com, scarfonlineshop.com, scarfviponsale.com, shawls-store.com, silkscarf-shop.com, silkscarfonsale.com, skyergolf.com, sohob2b.com, sohob2c.com, storeofeast.com, stuff-trade.com, sunglasses-mall.com, sunogolf.com, tbl-sports.com, throwbackguy.com, tiesonsale.com, timberlandlike.com, topabuy.com, torrent-finder.com, usaburberryscarf.com, and usaoutlets.net.

New York Times, November 26, 2010 (Ben Sisario)

11Alive.com, November 27, 2010 (Michael King)

RIAA.com, November 29, 2010
Read The Press Release: Click Here

Govtrack.US, November 18, 2010
Read the COICA Bill Online: Click Here