cybercrime.gov

Intellectual Property Cases

Many cases have been prosecuted under the intellectual property statutes, such as 18 U.S.C. §§ 2318, 2319, and 2320. Below is a listing of intellectual property crime cases and links to press releases about each case. This listing is a representative sample; it is not exhaustive.

Recent Major Criminal IP Operations
Copyright Cases
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Cases (DMCA)
Trademark Cases
Economic Espionage Act/Trade Secret Cases

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Recent Major Criminal IP Operations

Operation Site Down
Operation Buccaneer
Operation Fastlink
- Operation Fastlink announcement by AG Ashcroft (April 22, 2004)
- First 'Operation Fastlink' Defendant Pleads Guilty to Online Software Piracy (Dec. 22, 2004)
- 'Operation Fastlink' Defendant Pleads Guilty To Online Software Piracy (Feb. 28, 2005)
- 'Operation Fastlink' Defendant Sentenced for Online Software Piracy (September 7, 2006)
Operation Digital Gridlock
- Press Release (August 25, 2004)
- Remarks by AG Ashcroft (August 25, 2004)
Operation Higher Education
- Announcement of Pleas (March 8, 2005)

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Copyright Cases

Charged under: 18 U.S.C. § 2318 (counterfeit or illicit labels); 18 U.S.C. § 2319 (criminal copyright infringement); 17 U.S.C. § 506 (criminal copyright infringement).

U.S. v. Laney (W.D. Wash.)

Former Vancouver Area Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Conspiracy Involving Counterfeit Software And Money Laundering (November 29, 2006)

U.S. v. Peterson (E.D. Va.)

For-Profit Software Piracy Website Operator Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison (September 8, 2006)

U.S. v. McCausland (W.D. Penn.) (Operation D-Elite)

Justice Department Announces Guilty Plea in Peer-to-Peer Piracy Crackdown (September 12, 2006)

U.S. v. Abell (W.D. Tex.) (Operation Fastlink)

'Operation Fastlink' Defendant Sentenced for Online Software Piracy (September 7, 2006)

U.S. v. Ferrer (E.D. Va.)

Operator of Massive For-Profit Software Piracy Website Sentenced to Six Years in Prison (August 25, 2006)

U.S. v. Thomas (M.D. Tenn.)

Two Men Plead Guilty To Music Piracy Charges (August 24, 2006)

U.S. v. Harrison (N.D. Ga.)

Oxford, GA Man Indicted For Trafficking in Illicit Software (July 10, 2006)

U.S. v. Lakhdar et al. (S.D.N.Y.) (Operation Knockoff)

U.S. Announces Charges Against 22 Traffickers of Counterfeit Movies (June 28, 2006)

U.S. v. Ferrer (E.D. Va.)

Operator Of Massive For-Profit Software Piracy Website Sentenced To Six Years In Prison (August 25, 2006)
Operator Of Massive For-Profit Software Piracy Website Pleads Guilty (June 16, 2006)

U.S. v. Kafi-Tehrani (C.D. Cal.)

Los Angeles Man Charged after Attempting to Make Copy of the Medical College Admissions Test (May 25, 2006)

U.S. v. George (S.D. Tex.)

Pharmacist Convicted of Purchasing Chinese Counterfeit Drugs (May 25, 2006)

U.S. v. Zhai (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Remaster)

Final Defendant Charged Pleads Guilty in Largest CD Manufacturing Piracy Scheme Uncovered in United States to Date (May 22, 2006)

U.S. v. Huang (C.D. Cal.)

Jury Convicts Store Owner of Trafficking in Counterfeit Computer Software (May 19, 2006)

U.S. v. Borchardt (Jones, Hayes) (E.D. Va.) (Operation Fastlink)

Three Defendants Sentenced in Federal Internet Music Piracy Crackdown: One Defendant Receives 15 Months in Prison (May 19, 2006)

U.S. v. Fuchs (Trang, Alderman, Morvant, Hays) (W.D.N.C.) (Operation Fastlink; Operation Site Down)

Five Additional Defendants Charged in Crackdown Against Worldwide Internet Piracy Groups:
Second Set of Indictments Arising From Charlotte FBI Undercover Investigation for Operations FastLink and Site Down (April 27, 2006)

U.S. v. Sandoval (C.D. Cal.)

Los Angeles Man Convicted under New Statute for Pirating Movie in a Movie Theater (April 20, 2006)

U.S. v. Ferrara (E.D. Va.)

Distributor of Pirated Software Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement (April 13, 2006)

U.S. v. Soares (Peterman, Leung, Morada, McAleer) (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Site Down; Operation Copycat)

Five Additional Defendants Charged with Violating Copyright Laws as Part of Operation Copycat:
20 Defendants Convicted Thus Far, including Three Site Operators; 32 Defendants Charged to Date in Ongoing Investigation (April 6, 2006)

U.S. v. Pine (D. Conn.) (Operation Safehaven)

Sentenced: two years of probation, ordered to complete 400 hours of community service and pay a fine of $7,500 (April 4, 2006)
Plead Guilty: single count conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement on November 22, 2005

U.S. v. Wen (He) (N.D. Cal.)

First Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Largest CD Manufacturing Piracy Scheme Uncovered in U.S. to Date (April 3, 2006)
Plead Guilty: single count conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement on November 22, 2005

U.S. v. Perello (E.D. Tex.) (Operation Safehaven)

Sentenced: two years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,500 (April 3, 2006)
Plead Guilty: single count conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement on November 21, 2005

U.S. v. Audia (M.D. Ga.) (Operation Fastlink)

Sentenced: three years probation with six months house arrest with electronic monitoring and ordered him to perform 500 hours of community service (March 30, 2006)
Plead Guilty: one count criminal copyright infringement on June 30, 2005

U.S. v. Bochardt (Howard, Jones, Hayes) (E.D. Va.) (Operation Fastlink)

Justice Department Announces Four Pleas in Internet Music Piracy Crackdown (February 28, 2006)

U.S. v. O'Toole (Pazirandeh, Waldron, Yau, Fury, Bartel, Nguyen, Balter, Lee, Holland, Dobyns, Lewis, Cittell, Ploessel, Toland, Amaya, Warner, Piecyhna, Stevens) (D. Ill.)

19 Indicted in $6.5 Million "RISCISO" Software Piracy Conspiracy (February 1, 2006)

U.S. v. Jones (Bryant, Cai) (C.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Weiss (E.D.N.Y.) (Operation Fastlink)

Sentenced: three years probation, pay $20,914 in restitution, and complete 500 hours of community service on January 12, 2006
Plead Guilty: criminal copyright infringement on September 12, 2005

U.S. v. Lai (D. Conn.)

Operation Higher Education: Las Vegas Man Admits Role in Online Piracy Ring (January 6, 2006)

U.S. v. Shao (Fu, Fu, Chen, Li) (S.D. Fla.)

Five Individuals Indicted for Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods (December 29, 2005)

U.S. v. Szoke (D. Conn.) (Operation Safehaven)

Sentenced: three years of probation, ordered to perform 312 hours of community service, and to pay a fine in the amount of $2,000 on December 22, 2005
Operation Safehaven: Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Software Piracy Charges (September 27, 2005)

U.S. v. Peterson (E.D. Va.)

Operator of Massive For-Profit Software Piracy Website Pleads Guilty: Caused As Much As $20 Million in Losses to Software Industry (December 13, 2005)

U.S. v. Carter (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Safehaven)

Plead Guilty: single count conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement on December 12, 2005

U.S. v. Brink (D. Me.) (Operation Safehaven)

Sentenced: three years of probation, ordered to perform 300 hours of community service, and to pay a fine in the amount of $6,000 on December 12, 2005
Federal Software Piracy Investigation Leads To Prosecution Of Portland Man (September 8, 2005)

U.S. v. So (N.D. Ohio)

U.S. v. Vysochanskyy (N.D. Cal.)

Guilty Plea in International Software Piracy and Financial Crime Prosecution: Case Involves Extradition for Intellectual Property Crimes (November 29, 2005)

U.S. v. Ndiaye (Chedad, Ball, Ndikumana) (E.D. Penn.)

Four Pennsylvanian Defendants Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Infringement of Copyright and Criminal Infringement of Copyright (November 17, 2005)

U.S. v. Yuan (Chen, Rodriguez, Jalil Waziry, Ullah Waziry, Mohammed Waziry, Karwan, Zhuang, Ma) (D.D.C.)

U.S. v. Wen (He, Zhai) (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Remaster)

Three Indictments in Massive Music and Software Piracy Scheme: Individuals Charged with Infringing Over 325,000 CDs Containing Music and Software Largest CD Manufacturing Seizure in the United States According to Recording Industry (October 12, 2005)

U.S. v. Huerta (Huerta) (E.D. Cal.) (Operation Remaster)

Valley Couple Charged with Criminal Copyright and Trademark Violations for Distributing Counterfeited Movies and Music (October 7, 2005)

U.S. v. Ponce de Leon (D.D.C.)

U.S. v. Zeman (N.D. Cal.)(Operation Site Down; Operation Copycat)

Second Guilty Plea in Connection with Operation Copycat: Defendant Admitted to Illegally Uploading Software, Music, Movies, and Games (October 3, 2005)

U.S. v. Valente (Lumada, Valdez, Fousse, Sityar, Gima, Dimaano, Hoaglin) (C.D. Cal.)

Eight Charged with Copyright Infringement for Distributing the Latest Star Wars Movie that was Stolen from Post-Production Firm Prior to Release (September 27, 2005)

U.S. v. Salisbury (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Site Down; Operation Copycat)

U.S. v. Ringe (Andrews) (D. Ariz.) (Operation Fastlink)

Indicted: criminal copyright infringement on September 13, 2005

U.S. v. Streit (E.D.N.C.) (Operation Fastlink)

Sentenced: five years probation, 180 days of home confinement and imposed a 500 dollar fine following his conviction for criminal copyright infringement on September 6, 2005

U.S. v. Zheng (N.D. Cal.) (Jin) (Operation Cyberstorm)

Silicon Valley Pair Sentenced to Year in Prison for Trafficking in Counterfeit Software (August 29, 2005)

U.S. v. Huss (E.D. Pa.) (Operation Fastlink)

Pled Guilty: two count conspiracy and criminal copyright infringement on July 28, 2005

U.S. v. Mentzer (E.D. Pa.) (Operation Fastlink)

Pled Guilty: single count criminal copyright infringement on July 28, 2005

U.S. v. Pruett (Stoutenburgh, Melvin, Chen Pui, Laemmrich, Walls, Littell) (W.D.N.C.)(Operation Fastlink; Operation Site Down)

U.S. v. Fish (Patel, Veyna, Lovell) (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Site Down; Operation Copycat)

First "Operation Site Down" Indictment Charges Four Defendants with Copyright Violations Following Undercover "Warez" Investigation: Charges Include Conspiracy and Violations Under The NET Act and The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (July 14, 2005)

U.S. v. Cadreau (N.D. Ga.) (Operation Fastlink)

Plead Guilty: one count criminal copyright infringement on June 30, 2005

U.S. v. Gasca (C.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Dottoli (D.N.J.)

Worker Admits Stealing Pre-Release Copies of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Transmitting Copies of Game Artwork over the Internet (June 13, 2005)
Sentence: 6 months home confinement, 2 years probation; $2,500 fine

U.S. v. Armstead (E.D. Va.)

Maryland Man Convicted of Selling More than 300 Copies of Camcorded Feature Films (June 9, 2005)
Sentence: six months home confinement, five years probation; Restitution: $1,500; Forfeiture and destruction of materials seized from defendant's house

U.S. v. Chan (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Cyberstorm)

U.S. v. Tanner (D.D.C.) (Operation Digital Gridlock)

Final Guilty Plea in Operation Digital Gridlock, First Federal Peer-to-Peer Copyright and Piracy Crackdown (May 31, 2005)

U.S. v. Amin (Patel and Walker) (D. Md.)

Local Commercial X-BOX Retailers Plead Guilty to Copyright Felonies (May 31, 2005)
Sentence (Mrugesh Amin and Herbie Walker): 2 years probation
Sentence (Hitesh Patel): 4 months imprisonment
Sentence (Biren Amin): 5 months imprisonment

U.S. v. Kleinberg et al. (D. Conn.)

First U.S. Convictions in Largest Ever Multinational Investigation of Internet Piracy (March 8, 2005

U.S. v. Abugan (C.D. Cal.)

Corona, California Man Faces Federal Criminal Charges for Uploading 'Finding Neverland' to the Internet (March 4, 2005)

U.S. v. Jiang (S.D.N.Y.) (Also plead to computer intrusion)

U.S. v. Smith (M.D. Fla.)

Middleburg, Florida Man Sentenced to 18 Months Imprisonment for Distributing Pirated Software over the Internet in Violation of Federal Criminal Copyright Infringement Laws (February 25, 2005)

U.S. v. Trowbridge et al. (D.D.C.)(Operation Digital Gridlock)

U.S. v. Desir (S.D. Iowa)

First 'Operation Fastlink' Defendant Pleads Guilty to Online Software Piracy (December 22, 2004)

U.S. v. Martin (N.D. Ohio)

Warren, Ohio Woman Indicted for Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels and Reproduction and Distribution of Copyrighted Motion Pictures (December 15, 2004)

U.S. v. Singh (E.D. Va.)

U.S. v. Tobolsky (E.D. Va.)

Former Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Selling Illegal Copies of Software (August 25, 2004)

U.S. v. Fox (E.D.L.A.) (Operation Cybernet)

Internet Distributor of Pirated Software Sentenced for Criminal Copyright Infringement (August 25, 2004)
Punishment: 1K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Rodriguez (S.D.N.Y.)

Manhattan Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Sale of Over $1 Million in Pirated Goods Software (November 18, 2005)
Manhattan Man Arrested On Federal Charge Of Selling Pirated Computer Software (August 17, 2004)

U.S. v. Sarna et al. (C.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Smittle (W.D. Pa.)

Former Canonburg Resident Gets Prison Term For Selling Bootlegged Recordings (July 15, 2004)

U.S. v. Wiedmaier (W.D.N.Y.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Internet Distributor of Pirated Software Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement (June 18, 2004)

U.S. v. Russo (D.R.I.) (Operation Buccaneer)

U.S. v. Sprague (C.D. Cal.) (Pre-Release Movies)

U.S. v. Barbot (E.D. Va.) (also sentenced under trademark violation)

Richmond, Virginia Man Sentenced to 70 Months and $1.7 Million Restitution for Illegal Distribution of Counterfeit Microsoft Software (March 23, 2004)

U.S. v. Singh (D. Conn.) (Operation Safehaven)

Operation Safehaven: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Copyright Infringement (February 20, 2004)

U.S. v. Young et al. (C.D. Cal.)

Four Named in Federal Copyright Infringement Charges for Illegally Copying, Distributing Hollywood Movies: Three Former Employees of Movie Post-Production Firm Charged in Conspiracy that Led to Illegal Sale of 'Kill Bill' and Illegal Distribution of 'The Passion of the Christ (February 12, 2004)

U.S. v. Pnewski (D.D.C.)

Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced in First Federal U.S. Case Charging Criminal Copyright Infringement of Motion Pictures (February 10, 2004)

U.S. v. Breen (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Leader of Oldest Game Piracy Group Gets 50-Month Prison Sentence (February 10, 2004)

U.S. v. Miller (D.D.C.)

Pennsylvania Man Sentenced in First D.C. Case Charging Trafficking Live Musical Performances (February 7, 2004)

U.S. v. Woo (E.D. Va.) (Operation Cybernet)

Internet Distributor of Pirated Software Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement (February 6, 2004)

U.S. v. Zielin (Neas, Woods)(D.N.H.) (Operation Digital Piratez)

U.S. v. Ishida (D. Conn.) (Operation Safehaven)

Operation Safehaven: Hawaii Man Pleads Guilty to Copyright Infringement (January 23, 2004)

U.S. v. McVay (D.N.H.)(Operation Digital Piratez)

Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty in New Hampshire Software Piracy Conspiracy (December 19, 2003)

U.S. v. Amorosi et al. (D. Nev.)(Operation Digital Bandwidth)

Twelve "Operation Bandwidth" Software Pirates Enter into Group Guilty Plea (December 18, 2003)
Federal Indictments Returned In Las Vegas Against Software Pirates Nabbed In Operation Bandwidth (June 11, 2002)

U.S. v. Remy (D.N.J.)(Net Act Case; Operation Cybernet)

Man Admits to Distribution of Pirated Movies, Music, Computer Software and Games Worth Over $2.2 Million (December 8, 2003)

U.S. v. St. John (D. Ariz.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Valley Man Indicted in International Software Piracy Scheme (November 26, 2003)

U.S. v. Villa (S.D. Fla.)

Hialeah Man Sentenced For Criminal Copyright Infringement (November 25, 2003)
Hialeah Man Arrested for Criminal Copyright Infringement (July 28, 2003)

U.S. v. Myers et al. (D. Conn.) (Operation Safehaven)

Federal Investigation Leads to Prosecution of Internet Software Pirates (October 2, 2003)

U.S. v. Motter (D.N.H) (Operation Digital Piratez)

Iowa Man Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence in Internet Software Piracy Conspiracy (September 30, 2003)

U.S. v. Davis (D.D.C.)

New York Man Sentenced in First D.C. Case Charging Music Piracy (September 29, 2003)
New York Man Pleads Guilty in First D.C. Case Charging Music Piracy (April 30, 2003)

U.S. v. McCobb (D. Conn.)

Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement (September 9, 2003)

U.S. v. Kaighn (D.N.J.) (also plead guilty to wire fraud)

Gloucester City Man Admits Defrauding eBay Bidders and Criminal Copyright Infringement (September 8, 2003)

U.S. v. Brown (E.D. Va.)

Sterling Man Pleads Guilty to Creating and Selling Pirated Music CDs Over the Internet (August 29, 2003)
Sterling Man Pleads Guilty to Making and Selling Illegal Music CDs (May 22, 2003)

U.S. v. Shumaker (E.D. Va.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Online Music Piracy Leader Pleads Guilty (August 21, 2003)

U.S. v. Raines (S.D.N.Y.)

U.S. Charges Brooklyn Man With Selling Pirated Software to an Undercover FBI Agent (July 16, 2003)

U.S. v. Jou (N.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Gonzalez (S.D.N.Y.) (Posted "The Hulk" on the Internet)

N.J. Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Stealing the Movie 'The Hulk' and Posting it on the Internet (June 25, 2003)

U.S. v. Pitman (E.D. Va.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Former Leader of Razor 1911, the Oldest Game Software Piracy Ring on the Internet, Sentenced (June 6, 2003)

U.S. v. Kovalchuk (N.D. Cal.) (Extradition from Thailand)

International Software Piracy Ringleader Arrested With Assistance of San Francisco Electronic Crimes Task Force Agents in Bangkok, Thailand (May 21, 2003)

U.S. v. Fitzgerald (E.D. Va.) (NET Act Case)

U.S. v. Bah (S.D.N.Y.)

Leader of Massive Video Piracy Ring Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court (April 16, 2003)

U.S. v. Griffiths (E.D. Va.) (Operation Buccaneer; Extradition from Australia)

Defendant Indicted in Connection with Operating Illegal Internet Software Piracy Group (March 12, 2003)

U.S. v. Fontanini et al.(S.D. Cal.) (also charged under trademark violation)

Nine Indicted for Engaging in a Conspiracy to Distribute Counterfeit Microsoft Software (March 10, 2003)

U.S. v. Ma et al. (E.D.N.Y.) (also charged under trademark violation)

Six Charged With Trafficking in Counterfeit Computer Software -- $9 Million Worth of Counterfeit Software Seized During Search of Defendants' Distribution Centers (February 26, 2003)

U.S. v. Mynaf (E.D. Cal.) (also sentenced for DMCA violation)

U.S. v. Prapakamol (C.D. Cal.)

Thai National Indicted on Federal Charges of Importing Millions of Dollars in Counterfeit Software (February 12, 2003)

U.S. v. Mitchell (N.D. Cal.) (Internet Auction Sales)

U.S. v. Berrios (Peralta) (S.D. Fla.) (CDs & Cassettes; also charged under trademark violation)

Owner and Operator of Multi-Million Dollar Music Piracy Operation Charged Criminally (November 1, 2002)

U.S. v. Wisdom (N.D. Ohio)

Akron, Ohio Man Indicted on Criminal Infringement of Copyrighted Computer Software and Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels (September 18, 2002)
Sentence: 18 months probation; 7K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Baker (N.D. Cal.)

San Jose, California Man Indicted for Copyright Infringement by Producing and Selling Illegally Reproduced Software (September 17, 2002)
Sentenced: 36 months probation; 5K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Pattanayek (E.D. Va.) (Operation Buccaneer)

Member of "DrinkOrDie" Warez Group Sentenced to 41 Months (July, 2, 2002)

U.S. v. Chien (Wong) (C.D. Cal.)

San Gabriel Valley Men Sentenced For Conspiring To Traffic In Counterfeit Microsoft Software (June 25, 2002)

U.S. v. Deot (N.D. Tex.)

Defendant Ordered to Pay $10 Million Restitution to Microsoft for Pirating Software (June 17, 2002)

U.S. v. Suris (D.D.C.) (Internet Auction Sales)

Software Pirate Sentenced (May 31, 2002)
Brooklyn, New York Software Pirate Pleads Guilty (February 1, 2002)

U.S. v. Sankas (E.D. Va.) (Operation Buccaneer)

U.S. v. Rothberg et al. (N.D. Ill.) (NET Act Case; "Pirates with Attitude")

Leader Of Software Piracy Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison (May 15, 2002)
Software Pirate Guilty of Copyright Infringement Under NET Act (May 15, 2001)
U.S. Indicts 17 in Alleged International Software Piracy Conspiracy (May 5, 2000)

U.S. v. Kartadinata (Nguyen) (C.D. Cal.) (Operation Buccaneer)

First Defendants in One of the World's Most Sophisticated Internet Piracy Syndicates Charged in L.A. (January 22, 2002)

U.S. v. Qaza (Ghnaim) (E.D.N.Y.) (CDs & DVDs; also charged under trademark violation)

Two Brooklyn Men Indicted in Connection with Largest Seizure of Counterfeit DVDs in United States History (January 11, 2002)
Sentence: 41 months incarceration

U.S. v. Niemi (N.D. Cal.) (also charged under fraud violation)

Man Indicted For Auctioning Pirated Software On Ebay (November 28, 2001)
Sentence: 60 months probation

U.S. v. Polk (D. Miss.)

Liberty, Mississippi Woman Convicted of Distributing Copyrighted Videotapes Through Her Video Rental Business (November 21, 2001)
Sentence: 7 months incarceration; 6.5K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Lirola et al. (N.D. Cal.)

Two Defendants Sentenced for Distribution and Sales of Counterfeit Copyrighted Computer Software (August 7, 2001)
Two Defendants Plead Guilty to Distribution and Sales of Counterfeit Copyrighted Computer Software and Forfeit Ownership of a Domain Name (January 5, 2001)
Sentence: 21 months incarceration; 3 years supervised release; Forfeiture of Chevey Corvette & website

U.S. v. Howland (D. Md.)

Bethesda Man Pleads Guilty to Copyright Infringement (June 13, 2001)
Sentence: 36 months probation; 2.6K fine/forfeiture/restitution

U.S. v. Bailey (Barber) (S.D. Ind.)

Second Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Computer Software (June 1, 2002)

U.S. v. Stockton (D. Or.)

U.S. v. Kislyansky (N.D. Ohio.)

U.S. v. Reeves (W.D. Wash.)

Aberdeen Woman Arrested on Criminal Copyright Infringement Charges for Selling Unauthorized Copies of Sony Games and Movies Over the Internet (March 23, 2001)
Sentence: 60 months incarceration; 9.9K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Xie (D. Md.)

Two Former Maryland Residents Plead Guilty to Selling Copyrighted Computer Software Online (March 16, 2001)
Sentence: 36 months probation; 27K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Herr (C.D. Cal.)

Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Microsoft Software (February 26, 2001)
Sentence: 14 months incarceration

U.S. v. Fastlane (N.D. Ill.) (NET Act Case)

Nine Indicted in Chicago in $1 Million "Fastlane" Software Piracy Conspiracy (February 16, 2001)

U.S. v. Baltutat (E.D. Mich.) (NET Act Case)

Man Sentenced in Michigan for Offering Software Programs for Free Downloading on "Hacker Hurricane" Web site (January 30, 2001)

U.S. v. Bynum (D. Md.) (Cassettes & CDs)

Temple Hills Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute 23,892 Bootleg Video Cassettes and 58,975 Compact Discs (January 29, 2001)

U.S. v. Spatafore (N.D. Cal.) (NET Act Case)

Man Pleads Guilty to Internet Piracy of Star Wars Film (December 15, 2000)
(September 20, 2002)
Sentence: 24 months incarceration (Hariri)

U.S. v. Antaramian (C.D. Cal.)

Two Californians Arrested by FBI for Counterfeiting High Security Computer Chips used in Arcade Video Games (June 2, 2000)

U.S. v. Marino et al. (S.D. Cal.)

Three Year FBI and IRS Investigation Reveals Nationwide Black Market Dealing in Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Counterfeit Sports and Celebrity Memorabilia (April 12, 2000)
Sentence: 41 months incarceration; 10M fine/restitution

U.S. v. Thornton (D.D.C.) (NET Act Case)

U.S. v. Levy (D. Or.) (First Conviction under NET Act)

Defendant Sentenced for First Criminal Copyright Conviction Under the "No Electronic Theft" (NET) Act for Unlawful Distribution of Software on the Internet (November 23, 1999)

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Digital Millennium Copyright Act Cases (DMCA)

Charged under 17 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.

U.S. v. McWaine (E.D. Cal.) (plead guilty to computer fraud)

U.S. v. Fish (Patel, Veyna, Lovell) (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Site Down; Operation Copycat)

First "Operation Site Down" Indictment Charges Four Defendants with Copyright Violations Following Undercover "Warez" Investigation: Charges Include Conspiracy and Violations Under The NET Act and The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (July 14, 2005)

U.S. v. Buchholz (N.D. Cal.)

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Reprogramming & Selling Thousands of Satellite TV "Smart Cards" (June 10, 2005)

U.S. v. Amin (Patel and Walker) (D. Md.)

Local Commercial X-BOX Retailers Plead Guilty to Copyright Felonies (May 31, 2005)
Sentence (Biren Amin): 5 months imprisonment

U.S. v. Winigman (N.D. Ohio) (Satellite TV Cards)

Ohio Man Convicted on Charges of Producing Counterfeit U.S. Currency and Illegally Modifying or "hacking" Direct TV Access Cards (April 26, 2004)

U.S. v. Tolleson (M.D. Tenn.) (Satellite TV Cards)

U.S. v. Whitehead (C.D. Cal.) (Operation DeCrypt; First DMCA Jury Trial Conviction)

U.S. v. Sockloskie (N.D. Ohio) (Satellite TV Cards)

U.S. v. Rocci (E.D. Va.) (Modification Chips)

Justice Department Seizes Top Internet Site Involved in Copyright Piracy (February 26, 2003)
Sentence: 10 months incarceration; 28 K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Mynaf (E.D. Cal.) (also sentenced for copyright violations)

U.S. v. Walter (C.D. Cal.) (Satellite TV Cards; Operation Decrypt)

U.S. v. Lewis (M.D. Tenn.) (Satellite TV Cards)

Longest Sentence for Satellite Television Piracy Affirmed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (July 11, 2002)

U.S. v. Sklyarov (N.D. Cal.) (First DMCA Case)

U.S. v. Butler (N.D. Ohio) (Satellite TV Cards)

Man Pleads Guilty to Selling and Distributing Illegal Satellite TV Cards (October 1, 2001)
Man Indicted for Selling and Distributing Illegal Satellite TV Cards (August 7, 2001)
Sentence: 36 months probation; 120K fine/restitution/

U.S. v. Gray (Randolph) (C.D. Ill.) (Satellite TV Cards; Operation Smartcard.net)

Rantoul Men Guilty in Satellite T.V. Sting (June 14, 2001)

U.S. v. Rivera (D.N.J.) (Satellite TV Cards)

Bergenfield Man Admits Selling Pirated Satellite TV Access Cards (April 3, 2001)
Sentence: 60 months probation; 11K fine/restitution U.S. v. Hawkins (N.D. Ohio) (Satellite TV Cards)
Former Police Lieutenant Sentenced for Distributing and Selling Satellite TV Interception Devices (February 23, 2001)
Police Lieutenant Charged With Selling and Distributing Satellite TV Interception Devices (October 18, 2000)

U.S. v. Kennedy (D.R.I.) (Satellite TV Cards; Operation Smartcard.net)

Cranston Man is Sentenced to Fourteen Months in Prison for Selling Illegal Satellite Television Devices: Thomas Kennedy was caught in Operation Smartcard.net, a nationwide "sting" set up by the Customs Service (February 15, 2001)

U.S. v. Flick (N.D. Ohio) (Satellite TV Cards)

Ohio Man Sentenced on Conviction of Illegally Distributing Satellite Television Access Cards (November 16, 2000)
Ohio Man Charged with Illegally Distributing Satellite Television Access Cards (August 18, 2000)

U.S. v. Poulsen et al. (many districts) (Satellite TV Cards; Operation Smartcard.net)

Undercover Customs Operation Results in Charges and Pleas in Connection with Stolen Satellite Television (August 8, 2000)

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Trademark Cases

Charged under 18 U.S.C. § 2320

U.S. v. Wakefield (S.D. Fla.)

Miramar Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods (August 22, 2006)

U.S. v. Cousens (E.D. Mich.)

Chesterfield Township Retailer Sentenced for Sale of Counterfeit Products (July 5, 2006)

U.S. v. Shao (Fu, Fu, Chen, Li) (S.D. Fla.)

Five Individuals Indicted for Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods (December 29, 2005)

U.S. v. So (N.D. Ohio)

U.S. v. Luong et al. (D. Mass.)

U.S. v. Wen (He, Zhai) (N.D. Cal.) (Operation Remaster) (also charged under copyright violation)

U.S. v. Berger (D.N.J.)

Maple Shade, New Jersey Man Gets 15 Months in Prison for Selling Fake Rolex Watches Over the Internet (July, 12, 2005)

U.S. v. Huang (Srulevitch) (C.D. Cal.)

Southern California Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra (January 6, 2005)

U.S. v. Zheng (S.D. Tex.)

Houston Importer Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Merchandise (July 20, 2004)

U.S. v. Murphy (N.D. Ala.) (Adulterated Pesticides)

U.S. v. Barbot (E.D. Va.) (also sentenced under copyright violation)

Richmond, Virginia Man Sentenced to 70 Months and $1.7 Million Restitution for Illegal Distribution of Counterfeit Microsoft Software (March 23, 2004)

U.S. v. Nguyen (C.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Jaghouri (Carter) (C.D. Cal.)

Two Los Angeles-Area Residents Charged with Trafficking Millions of Dollars of Counterfeit Designer Goods (August 18, 2003)

U.S. v. Lawler (D.N.H.)

Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar New Hampshire Internet Conspiracy (July 1, 2003)

U.S. v. Fontanini et al. (S.D. Cal.) (also charged under copyright violation)

Nine Indicted for Engaging in a Conspiracy to Distribute Counterfeit Microsoft Software (March 10, 2003)

U.S. v. Ma et al. (E.D.N.Y.) (also charged under copyright violation)

Six Charged With Trafficking in Counterfeit Computer Software -- $9 Million Worth of Counterfeit Software Seized During Search of Defendants' Distribution Centers (February 26, 2003)

U.S. v. Zhu (Huang) (S.D.N.Y.) (Luis Vuitton handbags)

Two Men Arrested in Conspiracy to Sell Over $200,000 Worth of Fake Louis Vuitton Handbags via the Internet (February 10, 2003)

U.S. v. Farmer (D.S.C.)

South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Clothing with Counterfeit Trademarks (January 16, 2003)
Sentence: 84 months incarceration; 1M fine/restitution; judgement affirmed by 4th Circuit, June 4, 2004

U.S. v. Berrios (Peralta) (S.D. Fla..) (CDs & Cassettes; also charged under copyright violation)

Owner and Operator of Multi-Million Dollar Music Piracy Operation Charged Criminally (November 1, 2002)

U.S. v. Mostafa (C.D. Cal.) (Health and Safety threat)

U.S. v. Tzeng (C.D. Cal.)

San Gabriel Valley Woman Sentenced For Trafficking In Counterfeit Microsoft Computer Programs (May 24, 2002)
San Gabriel Valley Woman Arrested for Trafficking in Counterfeit Microsoft Computer Programs (June 15, 2001)

U.S. v. Qaza (Ghnaim) (E.D.N.Y.) (CDs & DVDs; also charged under copyright violation)

Two Brooklyn Men Indicted in Connection with Largest Seizure of Counterfeit DVDs in United States History (January 11, 2002)
Sentence: 41 months incarceration

U.S. v. Dipadova (Ford) (N.D.S.C.)

U.S. v. Ngo (D. Utah)

West Valley Man Sentenced to 10 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking in Counterfeit Video Tapes (July 17, 2001)

U.S. v. Mou (C.D. Cal.)

U.S. v. Platinum (Wu and Pham) (E.D.N.Y.)

New York Electronic Crimes Task Force Arrests Two Individuals on Charges of Trafficking in Counterfeit Computer Chips and Software (June 22, 2000)
Sentence: one month incarceration; 340K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Kablin (D. Mass.)

Norwood Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Clothing and Accessories (February 23, 2000)
Sentence: six months incarceration; 85K fine/restitution

U.S. v. Lee (D. Haw.)

Kent Aoki Lee Charged by Federal Grand Jury With Wire Fraud, Trademark Violations, and Selling Viagra over the Internet Without a Prescription (December 9, 1999)
Sentence: 10 months incarceration U.S. v. Desktop Sales, Inc. (N.D. Ill.)
Violation of I.B.M.. Trademark Results in $3.3 Million Fine and Restitution for Chicago-area Company (November 19, 1998)

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Trade Secret/Economic Espionage Cases

U.S. v. Dimson et al. (N.D. Ga.)

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Three For Conspiracy to Steal and Sell Coca Cola Company Trade Secrets (July 11, 2006)

U.S. v. Lockwood et al. (E.D. Mich.)

Former Metaldyne Employees Indicted for Theft of Trade Secrets (July 5, 2006)

U.S. v. Zhang (N.D. Cal.) December 22, 2005

Ex-employee
Charges: EEA, computer intrusion
Silicon Valley Engineer Indicted for Stealing Trade Secrets and Computer Fraud (December 22, 2005)

U.S. v. O'Neil (N.D. Cal.) December 8, 2005

Competitor
EEA, ITSP
Former CEO of Software Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets of Chief Competitor: Third Executive Pleads Guilty in Case Involving Theft of Rival's Trade Secrets (December 8, 2005)

U.S. v. McMenamin (N.D. Cal.) September 29, 2005

Competitor
Charges: EEA, ITSP
Software Executive Admits to Conspiring to Misappropriate Chief Competitor's Trade Secrets (September 29, 2005)

U.S. v. Tsai (N.D. Cal.) September 6, 2005

Insider; data sheet of employer's proprietary information
Charges: EEA, ITSP
Chip Design Engineer Pleads Guilty to Transporting Stolen Property of Silicon Valley Company to Taiwan (September 6, 2005)

U.S. v. Genovese (S.D.N.Y.) August 29, 2005

Outside; Microsoft source code
Charges: EEA, ITSP
Sentence: 24 months
Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty in U.S. Court to Selling Stolen Microsoft Windows Source Code (August 29, 2005)
U.S. Arrests Connecticut Man on Charge of Selling Stolen Microsoft Windows Source Code (November 9, 2004)

U.S. v. Woodward (N.D. Calif.) August 1, 2005

Insider; proprietary information stored on back-up tapes
Former IT Director of Silicon Valley Company Pleads Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets (August 1, 2005)
Oakland, California Man Indicted for Theft of Trade Secrets for Stealing Proprietary Databases (May 14, 2003)

U.S. v. Lam (Tran) (N.D. Cal.) November 4, 2004

Ex-employee/Insider; competitor drawings and assembly schematics
Two San Jose Men Indicted for Stealing Trade Secrets Worth Over $1 Million (November 4, 2004)

U.S. v. Serebryany (C.D. Cal.) September 8, 2003

Insider; access card control information
Sentence: 60 months; $146,000
Los Angeles Man Sentenced for Stealing Trade Secrets Pertaining to 'Smart Card' Technology (September 8, 2003)
L.A. Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets for Stealing Information to DirecTV 'Smart Card' (April 28, 2003)
Los Angeles Man Indicted For Theft of Trade Secrets For Stealing Information Pertaining to DirecTV's Most Advanced Conditional Access Card (January 16, 2003)

U.S. v. Branch (Erskine) (C.D. Cal.) June 25, 2003

Ex-Employee, Competitor; proprietary documents
Two Former Boeing Managers Charged in Plot to Steal Trade Secrets from Lockheed Martin (June 25, 2003)

U.S. v. Garrison (N.D. Cal.) May 23, 2003

EEA, computer intrusion
Insider; engineering drawings and data
Grand Island, New York Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets for Downloading Engineering Drawings and Data (May 23, 2003)

U.S. v. Woodard (N.D. Cal.) May 14, 2003

Ex-employee; propietary databases

U.S. v. Sun (N.D. Cal) April 11, 2002

Insider; customer and business information
FBI sting
Chicago, Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets, Offered to Sell Online Interpreter's Information (April 11, 2003)
FBI Sting Nabs Trade Secret Thief Offering to Sell OnLine Interpreters' Information (April 9, 2002)

U.S. v. Murphy (N.D. Cal.) April 2, 2003

Charges: EEA, computer intrusion
Ex-employee; computer source code
San Jose, California Man Indicted for Theft of Trade Secrets and Computer Fraud (April 2, 2003)

U.S. v. Ye (N.D. Cal.) December 4, 2002

EEA, Conspiracy
Ex-employee; project information

Pair from Cupertino and San Jose, California, Indicted for Economic Espionage and Theft of Trade Secrets From Silicon Valley Companies

(December 4, 2002)

U.S. v. Morris (D. Del.) October 17, 2002

Ex-employee; proprietary pricing information

Guilty Plea to Economic Espionage

(October 17, 2002)

U.S. v. Kissane (S.D. N.Y.) October 15, 2002

Ex-employee; computer source code
Sentence: 24 months
Former Engineer of White Plains Software Company Receives Two Years in Prison for Theft of Trade Secret (October 15, 2002)

U.S. v. Keppel (W.D. Wash.) August 23, 2002

Charges: EEA, copyright
Outsider; test materials
Former Vancouver, Washington Resident Pleads Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets from Microsoft Corporation (August 23, 2002)

U.S. v. Zhu (D. Mass.) June 19, 2002

Charges: EEA, ITSP
Insider; genetic screening discoveries

Pair Charged With Theft Of Trade Secrets From Harvard Medical School

(June 19, 2002)

U.S. v. Dorn (D. Kan.) June 3, 2002

Insider/outsider; customer information
Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Trade Secret (June 3, 2002)

U.S. v. Okamoto (N.D. Ohio) May 1, 2002

Charges: EEA, ITSP
Insider; DNA cell line
Scientist Pleads Guilty to Providing False Statements Regarding Trade Secret Theft from Cleveland Clinic Foundation (May 1, 2002)
First Foreign Economic Espionage Indictment; Defendants Steal Trade Secrets from Cleveland Clinic Foundation (May 8, 2001)
First indictment under 18 U.S.C. § 1831

U.S. v. ComTriad (D.N.J.) April 11, 2002

Charges: EEA conpiracy
Insider, outsider; computer source code
New Indictment Expands Charges Against Former Lucent Scientists Accused of Passing Trade Secrets to Chinese Company (April 11, 2002)
Former Lucent Employees and Co-Conspirator Indicted in Newark, New Jersey for Theft of Lucent Trade Secrets (May 31, 2001)
Lucent Scientists Arrested, Charged with Stealing Tech Secrets for Joint Venture with China-controlled Company (May 3, 2001)

U.S. v. Daddona (D. Conn) March 12, 2002

Charges: EEA, computer intrusion
Insider; engineering plans
Sentence: 5 months home detention; 36 months probation; $4000 fine; $10000 restitution
Pled guilty to § 1832 violation
Man Sentenced for Theft of Trade Secrets from Fabricated Metal Products Inc. (March 12, 2002)
Connecticut Man Indicted for Theft of Trade Secrets from Fabricated Metal Products (June 6, 2001)

U.S. v. Rector (M.D. Fla.) January 28, 2002

Charges: EEA, computer intrusion
Insider/ex-employee; drug delivery system formulas
Sentence: 14 months
FBI sting
Two Sentenced in First Theft of Trade Secrets Case Prosecuted in Middle District of Florida (January 28, 2002)
Two Plead Guilty to First Theft of Trade Secrets Case Prosecuted in Middle District of Florida (March 15, 2001)

U.S. v. Say Lye Ow (N.D. Cal.) December 11, 2001

Ex-employee; micro-processor research
Sentence: 24 months
Silicon Valley Man Sentenced to Economic Espionage Act Violation Relating to Intel Trade Secrets (December 11, 2001)

U.S. v. Chang (N.D. Cal.) December 4, 2001

Inisder; customer information
Sentence: 12 months; $60,000
Santa Clara Man Sentenced for Theft of Trade Secrets (December 4, 2001)
Two San Jose Men Plead Guilty in Theft of Trade Secrets Case (January 2, 2001)

U.S. v. Petrolino (S.D. Fla.) November 29, 2001

Charges: EEA conspiracy
Outsider; securities broker customer and account information

U.S. v. Wu (W.D.N.Y.) July 31, 2001

Ex-employee; network switch plans
Former Corning Inc. Employee Charged with Theft of Trade Secrets in Rochester (July 31, 2001)

U.S. v. Wang (N.D. Cal.) April 26, 2001

Insider; ultrasound machine blueprints
Wang and Bell Imaging Plead Guilty Plead Guilty to Theft and Copying of Acuson Corporation Trade Secrets (April 26, 2001)

U.S. v. Estrada (S.D.N.Y.) March 21, 2001

Charges: EEA, computer intrusion, ITSP
Outsider; confidential documents
FBI sting
FBI Sting Captures New York Man Who Stole Trade Secrets from MasterCard and Offered Them for Sale to Visa (March 21, 2001)

U.S. v. Dai (W.D.N.Y.) August 23, 2001

Ex-employee; computer source code
Sentence: 24 months probation; $50,000
Pled guilty to 18 U.S.C. § 2701 violation

U.S. v. Morch (N.D. Cal.) March 21, 2001

Charges: EEA, computer intrusion
Ex-employee; software design documents
Sentence: 36 months probation
Charged under EEA; pled guilty to 18 U.S.C. § 1030 violation
San Francisco Man Arrested on Charges of Trade Secrets Theft (November 21, 2000)

U.S. v. Corgnati (S.D. Fla.) June 12, 2000

Outsider; software
Sentence: 60 months probation; $120,000

U.S. v. Everhart (W.D. Pa.) March 30, 2000

Ex-employee

Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section

Intellectual Property Cases

Recent Major Criminal IP Operations

Copyright Cases

Digital Millennium Copyright Act Cases (DMCA)

Trademark Cases

Trade Secret/Economic Espionage Cases