Australian BitTorrent Pirates Arrested - GoFuckYourself.com

Pistol · 12-03-2008, 10:45 PM

Police bust major film and TV piracy operation
Email Printer friendly version Normal font Large font Saved Christine Kellett
December 4, 2008 - 3:03PM

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Two Brisbane men who allegedly facilitated the illegal download of the equivalent of more than 14 million movies and television programs via a video sharing website overseas have been charged with piracy.

The 21-year-old and 27-year-old, who are related and live together, were arrested at a house in the suburb of Parkinson yesterday.

About $50,000, alleged to be the proceeds of crime, has been frozen, while three computers and more than 1200 DVDs were seized in the raid by Australian Federal Police.

Investigators allege the pair made $10,000 a month by managing an illegal offshore video sharing website with 400,000 international members, including thousands of "VIPs" who paid up to $10 a month for access to direct downloadable media.

Police were tipped off about the BitTorrent tracker site by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) group earlier this year.

Search warrants were issued yesterday and the men arrested and charged with copyright and proceeds of crime offences.

It is alleged the men facilitated the transfer of more than 10,000 terabytes of information, equivalent to 14.3 million copies of videos and television programs.

"BitTorrent is a legitimate and efficient software for sharing files but, like any tool, it can be misused," AFACT's director of operations, Neil Gane, said.

"This case clearly demonstrates how damaging P2P piracy can be - sucking money from the legitimate production and distribution of movies thereby discouraging creativity and destroying Australian businesses and jobs."

The pair have been released on bail until December 18, when they will front Brisbane Magistrates Court.

If found guilty, they each face a maximum 10 years' jail or $66,000 in fines.

The Australian director and producer of the film Black Water, which was allegedly downloaded from the site in breach of copyright, applauded the bust.

"Being a low budget film I didn't get paid much and hoped to make some money for all my effort from the films' sales," Andrew Traucki said.

"The fact that Black Water had been pirated and was online within days of being finished is upsetting. How are Australian film producers like me meant to make a living from our films if people pirate the film and watch it for free?"

[urlhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/biztech/14m-downloads-pair-on-piracy-charges/2008/12/04/1228257209775.html[/url]

Happy news - no doubt a shit-load of the content was porn.

crockett · 12-03-2008, 10:56 PM

It says a "video sharing website".. Did they also have a tube or was it a movie torrent site? Either way good to hear some are getting busted.

Adam_M · 12-03-2008, 11:27 PM

1 down 1,000,000 to go

papill0n · 12-03-2008, 11:36 PM

Not sure how they didn't think they were going to get busted.

bronco67 · 12-03-2008, 11:41 PM

So this is how you get caught stealing digital content. I was was worried about the occasional album, and these guys are stealing the whole fucking internet.

doridori · 12-04-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_WildCash

1 down 1,000,000 to go

1 down 1,000,005 to go

mryellow · 12-04-2008, 12:21 AM

Whoever that Australia director is sounds like fuckhead.

Australian directors should be proud when their movie gets watched by more then 5
people rather then hanging out for the pay cheque.

Shit "Bad Boy Bubby" is one of the greatest movies ever made.....
Try to find it on DVD if you can.... Only place to watch it is Youtube.

Metallica sued all their fans for listening to their music. A few years later their on
youtube giving it away for free "What's that you say? We can give away our art and still
make money?".

Fighting the future instead of joining it is the favourite pass-time of media executives.

-Ben

12-03-2008, 10:45 PM	#1
Pistol Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 161	Australian BitTorrent Pirates Arrested Police bust major film and TV piracy operation Email Printer friendly version Normal font Large font Saved Christine Kellett December 4, 2008 - 3:03PM Advertisement Two Brisbane men who allegedly facilitated the illegal download of the equivalent of more than 14 million movies and television programs via a video sharing website overseas have been charged with piracy. The 21-year-old and 27-year-old, who are related and live together, were arrested at a house in the suburb of Parkinson yesterday. About $50,000, alleged to be the proceeds of crime, has been frozen, while three computers and more than 1200 DVDs were seized in the raid by Australian Federal Police. Investigators allege the pair made $10,000 a month by managing an illegal offshore video sharing website with 400,000 international members, including thousands of "VIPs" who paid up to $10 a month for access to direct downloadable media. Police were tipped off about the BitTorrent tracker site by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) group earlier this year. Search warrants were issued yesterday and the men arrested and charged with copyright and proceeds of crime offences. It is alleged the men facilitated the transfer of more than 10,000 terabytes of information, equivalent to 14.3 million copies of videos and television programs. "BitTorrent is a legitimate and efficient software for sharing files but, like any tool, it can be misused," AFACT's director of operations, Neil Gane, said. "This case clearly demonstrates how damaging P2P piracy can be - sucking money from the legitimate production and distribution of movies thereby discouraging creativity and destroying Australian businesses and jobs." The pair have been released on bail until December 18, when they will front Brisbane Magistrates Court. If found guilty, they each face a maximum 10 years' jail or $66,000 in fines. The Australian director and producer of the film Black Water, which was allegedly downloaded from the site in breach of copyright, applauded the bust. "Being a low budget film I didn't get paid much and hoped to make some money for all my effort from the films' sales," Andrew Traucki said. "The fact that Black Water had been pirated and was online within days of being finished is upsetting. How are Australian film producers like me meant to make a living from our films if people pirate the film and watch it for free?" [urlhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/biztech/14m-downloads-pair-on-piracy-charges/2008/12/04/1228257209775.html[/url] Happy news - no doubt a shit-load of the content was porn. __________________ www.gunzblazing.com www.hardgayfeeds.com www.aebn.net

12-03-2008, 10:56 PM	#2
crockett in a van by the river Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 76,806	It says a "video sharing website".. Did they also have a tube or was it a movie torrent site? Either way good to hear some are getting busted. __________________ In November, you can vote for America's next president or its first dictator.

12-03-2008, 11:27 PM	#3
Adam_M Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,800	1 down 1,000,000 to go __________________ DiscountedPorn.Com ReviewedPorn.com

12-03-2008, 11:41 PM	#5
bronco67 Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 29,032	So this is how you get caught stealing digital content. I was was worried about the occasional album, and these guys are stealing the whole fucking internet. __________________

12-04-2008, 12:21 AM	#7
mryellow Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 934	Whoever that Australia director is sounds like fuckhead. Australian directors should be proud when their movie gets watched by more then 5 people rather then hanging out for the pay cheque. Shit "Bad Boy Bubby" is one of the greatest movies ever made..... Try to find it on DVD if you can.... Only place to watch it is Youtube. Metallica sued all their fans for listening to their music. A few years later their on youtube giving it away for free "What's that you say? We can give away our art and still make money?". Fighting the future instead of joining it is the favourite pass-time of media executives. -Ben __________________ Cyberwurx Hosting After trying 5 different hosts, I found the best. Since 1997 I've had 2 hours of downtime. Fast support, great techs, no hype, no gimmicks. <- I in no way endorse whatever just got stuck on the left of my post.

12-03-2008, 11:36 PM	#4
papill0n Unregistered Abuser Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 15,547	Not sure how they didn't think they were going to get busted.