Major Anti-Piracy Initiative Announced
The FBI, along with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), have announced a new initiative to combat piracy.
The initiative was includes a new warning label which will be placed on games, CDs, movies, and software. There is also a new seal. You can see a picture of the seal here.
In addition, the FBI's Cyber Divisions Assistant Director Jana Monroe spoke at a press conference yesterday, and the FBI released a Cyber Education Letter.
For more information, you can read the official FBI release below, which is followed by Monroes remarks and the FBI's Cyber Education Letter.
FBI, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ENTERTAINMENT AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES, ANNOUNCE ANTI-PIRACY WARNING INITIATIVE
Los Angeles, CA (FBI) - The FBI, in conjunction with leaders from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced a broad initiative to combat the theft of copyright protected material -- a multi-billion dollar a year crime problem.
At a press conference at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Jana Monroe highlighted the FBI's ongoing efforts and successes in addressing the growing number of criminal complaints. Also released at the press conference was an "Education Letter" designed to inform the public of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with sites where users exchange file information as well an introduction of the FBI's new "Anti-Piracy" seal and warning text to be displayed on future copyrighted materials.
"The theft of copyrighted material has grown substantially and has had a detrimental impact on the U.S. economy," said AD Monroe. "The FBI's Cyber Division recognizes the importance of the problem and stands ready to meet the challenge. Through working partnerships with other law enforcement entities, the Department of Justice, and industry, we will continue to devote significant resources in pursuit of those who steal copyright protected data."
Brad Buckles, RIAA, Executive Vice President and Director of Anti-Piracy, said "It is our hope that when consumers see the new FBI warning on the music they purchase, both physically and digitally, they will take the time to learn the do's and don'ts of copying and uploading to the Internet. As this seal attests, these are the serious crimes with serious consequences - including federal prosecution- to making unauthorized copies or uploading music without permission and consumers should be aware of them. We are grateful for the FBI's dedication to helping all copyright owners enforce their rights." "
Ken Jacobsen, MPAA, Senior Vice President and Director of World-Wide Anti-Piracy Operations, said, "With hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake nationwide, piracy is a serious threat to the entire entertainment industry. Motion Picture copyright theft losses are currently reaching $3.5 billion annually not including losses associated with the illegal downloading of movies off of the Internet. The MPAA has worked with the FBI to protect copyright material since the early 1970's with its first anti-piracy warning system. We applaud the FBI for its work on this critical issue thus far and look forward to continuing our collaboration on this important new initiative."
Keith Kupferschmid, SIIA, Vice President of Anti-Piracy Division said, "Piracy is not a victimless crime. A software program that reflects unprecedented technology, years of effort, and millions of development dollars can now be duplicated in minutes with the touch of a button. We are grateful for the FBI's willingness to take a leadership role in investigating those who engage in these egregious violations."
Ric Hirsch, ESA, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property Enforcement, said, "This new seal will serve as a clear and important reminder to consumers that piracy of game products is illegal and may be subject to criminal enforcement."
The FBI's Cyber Division was created in response to the rapidly expanding and diverse nature of crimes being facilitated with computers. While the Division is managed from FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., there are currently 60 FBI-led Cyber Task Forces throughout the country which are uniquely positioned to investigate a wide range of violations -- often having international facets and national economic implications. Some of these violations include fraud, identity theft, child pornography, and copyright infringement. Additionally the Cyber Division supports Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism investigations by analyzing terrorist threats, foreign intelligence operations and criminal activities precipitated by the illegal intrusions into U.S. computer networks.
Within the Cyber Division is the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Center. The IPR Center was formed in 1999 in conjunction with the Department of Justice as part of a multi-agency plan to effectively improve the U.S. Government's efforts in IPR enforcement. The Center is co-chaired with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C. and serves as a hub for the collection, analytical support, and dissemination of intelligence involving IPR violations. These violations include: Theft of Trade Secrets, Copyright Infringement, Trademark Infringement, and Signal Theft. Additionally, the Center conducts training and has an outreach program with industries affected by IPR crime problems.
REMARKS OF FBI CYBER DIVISION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JANA MONROE FOR ANTI-PIRACY WARNING PRESS CONFERENCE
Good morning. I'm Jana Monroe, Assistant Director of the FBI's cyber division. On behalf of FBI director Robert Mueller, I am pleased to be joined today by our partners in private industry to announce an initiative aimed at combatting the continuing problem involving the theft of copyright-protected material.
The FBI is responsible for investigating the theft of intellectual property. Nowhere is piracy and theft of intellectual property more prevalent than in cyberspace. Copyright protected material such as digital music, digital movies, computer software, and games are routinely stolen and distributed illegally by organized groups.
To commit these crimes, these groups distribute stolen intellectual property through the use of web sites, chat rooms, mass e-mail, file transfer protocol, and peer-to-peer networks.
The theft of copyright-protected materials significantly impacts the U.S. economy. As an example, last year, the 4 industries represented here today, reported approximately 3 billion dollars in losses due to the theft of their copyright-protected works. These losses translate into a loss of jobs throughout the industry by the people who make their living legally producing these materials.
To combat this crime problem, the FBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as private sector alliances to target and dismantle these criminal organizations.
Additionally, as part of today's announcement, the FBI is also unveiling a new anti-piracy seal, which will be displayed prominently on digital and software intellectual properties. This anti-piracy seal should serve as a warning to those who contemplate the theft of intellectual property, that the FBI will actively investigate cyber crimes, and will bring the perpetrators of these criminal acts to justice.
FBI CYBER EDUCATION LETTER
To Users of Peer-to-Peer Systems:
The FBI has undertaken a new initiative to educate and warn citizens about certain risks and dangers associated with the use of Peer-to-Peer systems on the Internet. While the FBI supports and encourages the development of new technologies, we also recognize that technology can be misused for illicit and, in some cases, criminal purposes. In an effort to help citizens learn how to protect themselves, this letter is being distributed and is posted on the FBI's web site at www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberedletter.htm.
Peer-to-Peer networks allow users connected to the Internet to link their computers with other computers around the world. These networks are established for the purpose of sharing files. Typically, users of Peer-to-Peer networks install free software on their computers which allows them (1) to find and download files located on another Peer-to-Peer user's hard drive, and (2) to share with those other users files located on their own computer. Unfortunately sometimes these information-sharing systems have been used to engage in illegal activity. Some of the most common crimes associated with Peer-to-Peer networks are the following:
Copyright Infringement: It is a violation of Federal law to distribute copyrighted music, movies, software, games, and other works without authorization. There are important national economic consequences associated with such theft. The FBI has asked industry associations and companies that are particularly concerned with intellectual property theft to report to the FBI -- for possible criminal investigation and prosecution -- anyone that they have reason to believe is violating Federal copyright law.
Child Exploitation and Obscenity: The receipt or distribution of child pornography and unlawful obscenity over the Internet also is a serious Federal crime. The FBI cautions parents and guardians that, because there is no age restriction for the use of Peer-to-Peer services, pornography of all types is easily accessible by the many young children whose parents mistakenly believe they are only accessing music or movies. In fact, children may be exposed to pornography -- and subsequently lured by sexual predators -- even though they were not searching for pornography, as some network users deliberately mislabel the names of files for this purpose.
Computer Hacking: Peer-to-Peer networks also have been abused by hackers. Because these systems potentially expose your computer and files to millions of other users on the network, they also expose your computer to worms and viruses. In fact, some worms have been specifically written to spread by popular Peer-to-Peer networks. Also, if Peer-to-Peer software is not properly configured, you may be unknowingly opening up the contents of your entire hard drive for others to see and download your private information.
The FBI urges you to learn about the risks and dangers of Peer-to-Peer networks, as well as the legal consequences of copyright infringement, illegal pornography, and computer hacking. For more information about the law, visit www.usdoj.gov/criminal. The FBI takes seriously its mission to enforce the laws against those who use the Internet to commit crime. To report cyber crime, please contact your local FBI Field Office, www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm or file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.
