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File-sharers convicted in Iceland

6 March 2008 18:29 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 4 comments

Nine file-sharers in Iceland have been convicted of Internet piracy offenses for sharing movies using the DC++ software. Eight of the nine defendants received two years probation, while the ninth defendant who was singled out, Bjarki Magn�sson, received a 30 day suspended sentence by the Reykjav�k District Court.

Magn�sson received a different punishment as he had established a portal for DC++ on dci.is. "Since the judgment has ruled in favor of the Icelandic copyright holders, nobody can share now without risking arrest," a reader told The Register.

SM��S chairman Snaebj�rn Steingr�msson expressed disappointment at the lenient nature of the punishments handed down by the court. The organization which represents the interests of film rights holders made the complaint that led to the arrest of 12 suspects in 2004.

Computer equipment and many discs were seized during the raids with one of the defendants being caught with 2.5TB of pirated material. The nine sentenced file-sharers now owe legal fees estimated at ISK 2.6 million (US$39,000).

Permalink to this article

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Discuss this article!
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 6 March 2008 20:18
The legal fees were the worst financial punishment. [ + quote]
domie (Member) 6 March 2008 20:53
It's true the legal fees are the biggest penalty but let's think about it for a moment - 4 years since the arrests, 9 defendants, $ 39,000 total to pay - I make that around $ 1,250 a year each - can you imagine how much the legal fees would have been if this had happened in the land of the free and democracy the good old USA ? American attorneys would have charged $ 39,000 in the first year alone just for making phone calls. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6 March 2008 20:54
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 6 March 2008 20:56
*Originally posted by domie:* It's true the legal fees are the biggest penalty but let's think about it for a moment - 4 years since the arrests, 9 defendants, $ 39,000 total to pay - I make that around $ 1,250 a year each - can you imagine how much the legal fees would have been if this had happened in the land of the free and democracy the good old USA ? American attorneys would have charged $ 39,000 in the first year alone just for making phone calls. Betcha the phone calls were under a minute and local too! If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]
esrever (Inactive) 7 March 2008 6:56
domie, I agree...if this case would've been in the USA, the attorneys would've probably found a way to bring it into the millions (hopefully, im exaggerating). The sad part about this is, do you think the Artists will see ANY of this money? Now, I'm no lawyer...but I know how full of crap court systems can be. [ + quote]