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Operator Of Software Piracy Website Caused Up To $20 Million in Losses to Software Industry

WASHINGTON—The owner of a massive for-profit software piracy Web site pleaded guilty in federal court, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced today.

Danny Ferrer, 37, of Lakeland, Fla., pleaded guilty in Alexandria, Va. before U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III to one count of conspiracy and one count of criminal copyright infringement for selling pirated software through the mail. Ferrer, who is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2006 at 9:00 A.M., could receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Ferrer also agreed to forfeit numerous airplanes, a helicopter, boats and cars, which he had purchased with the profits from his illegal enterprise, including: a Cessna 152; a Cessna 172RG; a Model TS-11 ISKRA aircraft; a RotorWay International helicopter; a 1992 Lamborghini; a 2005 Hummer; a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette; two 2005 Chevrolet Corvettes; a 2005 Lincoln Navigator; an IGATE G500 LE Flight Simulator; a 1984 twenty-eight foot Marinette hardtop express boat; and an ambulance.

“Today’s conviction of one of the largest commercial online distributors of pirated software in the United States sends a clear message to those who pirate software for profit that stealing at the expense of the hard work and creativity of legitimate rights-holders is a crime for which you will be prosecuted,” said Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher.  “This case reflects the Justice Department’s continued commitment to the enforcement of intellectual property laws and to bringing those who steal software and other intellectual property to justice.” Read more at usdoj.gov

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