WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal agents armed with search warrants conducted raids in three states Wednesday as part of a nationwide crackdown on the theft of copyrighted materials through the Internet, the Justice Department announced.

Individuals were being questioned after six searches by investigators in Texas, New York and Wisconsin, authorities said. No immediate arrests were expected, but charges stemming from the investigation were likely to be filed later, they said.

In a separate federal operation aimed at combating Internet fraud and curbing junk e-mails or spam, agents were concluding "Operation Slam Spam," which officials could announce as early as Thursday.

In a written statement, the Direct Marketing Association, which assisted FBI agents with that yearlong investigation, said "several arrests and indictments of alleged spammers will be announced."

One federal law enforcement source said the investigation covered 111 cases in which there were more than 332,500 alleged victims resulting in nearly $145 million in losses. More than 260 people were under investigation and so far 51 people have been arrested, the source said.

In the crackdown on theft of copyrighted materials, authorities said the search warrants Wednesday were executed against an Internet service provider in Dallas and five residences in San Antonio and Bellaire, Texas; Johnson City and Fulton, New York; and Waukesha, Wisconsin.

A government lawyer involved in the probe said the ISP, Planet Internet Service, was not a target but had information about those under investigation.

Federal officials said the target of the crackdown was a peer-to-peer network of about 7,000 members operated by an organization that calls itself the "Underground Network." Officials allege that network engages in the unauthorized distribution and reproduction of music, movies, software and other protected material.

Although federal agents have previously targeted peer-to-peer groups for the distribution of pornography, Justice Department officials said this marked the first time those using the technology have been investigated for violating laws against the theft of intellectual property.

Source and remainder of article:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/08/26/c...obe/index.html

(All I can say is those who choose to share copyrighted material better know the risks and possible consequences.

MNKid)