The US government has brought charges against 19 members
of an international group of hackers, who are said to have been
involved in a “massive” copyright theft.
The group, which is said to have been led by an Australian, and
which allegedly involved a 57-year-old woman from Barbados,
specialised in sharing copyrighted software, games and films.
The members are said not to have profited from its operations.
The US government said the group, known as RISCISO, cracked
expiration and encryption codes built into trial software available
on the internet, on computer games, and on first-run movies
intended only for reviewers and screeners.
As many as 60 members of the group, many of whom work in the
computer field, are said to have shared access to computer servers
loaded with products that would fill 23,000 compact discs.
Many of the servers were located outside the US. The US
government said the merchandise haul was worth a total of $6.5m
(£3.6m).
All 19 face a charge of conspiracy to commit copyright
infringement, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in
prison and a $250,000 fine.
The government is seeking the extradition of an Australian and
a citizen of Barbados. An informant helped the FBI crack the
case.