Busted, 27 Arrested for Software Piracy
Yahoo | at | by Mike
After a two-year investigation, local and federal authorities said Friday they had broken up a piracy ring that sold unauthorized computer software, costing Microsoft Corp. and other companies hundreds of millions of dollars in lost sales. FBI Director Robert Mueller said "Operation Cyberstorm" was one of several active federal investigations into software piracy. Software companies claim the problem is so widespread it costs the industry $12 billion a year. Authorities arrested 27 people Thursday, mainly in San Jose and neighboring cities, on copyright infringement, counterfeiting and money laundering charges. Those charges carry between five and 20 years in prison.