Sep 20
California game pirate sentenced to jail, prison, probation, and fined over $100,000
The Entertainment Software Association sent out a press release applauding the sentencing of a man who pleaded guilty to “two felony counts of trafficking in counterfeit products.” This California “game pirate” by the name of Frederick Brown was found to have hundreds of illegal game discs when his home was searched earlier in the year.
Ric Hirsch, senior vice president for intellectual property enforcement at the ESA, said that “Sentences that include jail time send a clear message that we take this stuff way too seriously violating intellectual property rights is a serious crime with significant consequences and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Frederick Brown has been sentenced for a year, the first 90 days of which will be spent in a prison along with those who have committed similarly punishable crimes like rape, murder, and all those prison worthy offenses. However, the “fullest extent” includes more than jail time, as it will not be his only punishment. After finishing that there will be 5 years of probation, with certain computer use restrictions. And no piracy case would be complete without a ridiculous amount of money involved - so he will be fined $100,000 and will have to pay the ESA more than $10,000 in a restitution payment.
It looks like they’re trying to make a big deal to scare away others and set an example…but seriously, is all of this really necessary?
Categories: Free Content, Gaming Industry, Hate, Legal, Rape5 Comments so far
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Am I the only one that finds it ironic that yesterday was “Official Speak Like a Pirate Day”? YARRGH, DARN THOSE GAME PIRATES! TO THE POOP DECK WITH YE!
Yeah, I thought about that while I was typing it. Maybe I should have done the whole thing in “pirate speak.”
I’d swab her poop deck if you know what i’m sayin. Amirite?!
Yeah, well I’d put it in her butt.
backflip, you perv, I was totally not insinuating that sort of response. For shame.