International AntiPiracy Sting Nets First U.S. Target   12/24/2004 - 1,196 views, 1 Comment

Dubbed “Operation Fastlink”, the project is billed by the U.S. Justice Department as “the largest multinational law enforcement action against online software piracy”.

International though it may be, it took on a distinctly local feel for Jathan Desir, of Iowa City, Iowa. He has the dubious distinction of being the first person convicted as a result of Fastlink, for his participation in a distribution group found to have posted copyrighted material - often even before it was released to the general public - and complete with members dubbed “suppliers”, “crackers”, and “couriers”.

Desir faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in the distribution group.

Said U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker, “The people of Iowa and the United States are better off when the market works and individuals are not illegally copying and using stolen software.”

Now, Aunty doesn’t condone illegal activities of any sort, but, well, uh, no, the people of Iowa and the United States are better off when we don’t have to worry about violent crime, terrorism, inflation, and unemployment. But hey, maybe that’s just me.