Browse by topic

News

15 month sentence for Florida video game pirate

18 August 2008 23:19 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 23 comments

Kifah Maswadi of Oakland, Florida was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay US$415,900 in restitution for selling pirate video games. Maswadi reportedly sold game console systems with as many as 75 preloaded games, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He received his sentence on Friday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

He was indicted on January 24th, and then pleaded guilty to copyright infringement offenses on June 3rd, according to the DoJ. The "Power Player" handheld consoles he sold contained games mostly from Nintendo and its licensees. He sold the consoles during 2006 and 2007, allegedly earning $390,000 in profits.

In addition to his 15 month prison term, the Judge also ordered Maswadi to serve three years of supervised release and inform the public of the perils of criminal copyright infringement as part of 50 hours of community service.

Permalink to this article

File sharing propaganda distributed to students (26 August 2008)

Louisiana man sentenced to one year for piracy (23 August 2008)

Noel Gallagher encourages piracy, but only of rival bands (23 August 2008)

Motion Picture Association part of huge piracy crackdown (19 August 2008)

Finnish file-sharer settles case of copyright infringement (13 August 2008)

Judge limits RIAA damage award for "Innocent Infringement" (11 August 2008)

Mark Cuban speaks out about MPAA, piracy (10 August 2008)

'Italian Pirate Bay' shut down by IFPI, Italian police (31 July 2008)

UK ISPs join up for piracy crackdown (24 July 2008)

« Previous news article
Bono blasts new songs too loud, fan records

Next news article »
FCC to publicize digital switch-over across U.S.

Post your comment

Discuss this article!
aldan (Member) 18 August 2008 23:23
huh,profit to loss ratio really sucks,doesnt it.lol [ + quote]
CF01 (Junior Member) 18 August 2008 23:44
i think he deserves it how are u going to try and make money off someone elses stuff [ + quote]
EricCarr (Junior Member) 19 August 2008 1:16
You have to be an idiot to think you can get away with something like this. These are the people that MS, RIAA, MPAA, and rest of those blood suckers need to go after. LEAVE THOSE Innocent kids and grandmothers alone. [ + quote]
Blackjax (Member) 19 August 2008 5:11
*Originally posted by EricCarr:* You have to be an idiot to think you can get away with something like this. These are the people that MS, RIAA, MPAA, and rest of those blood suckers need to go after. LEAVE THOSE Innocent kids and grandmothers alone. Something about a snowball in a very hot place?! [ + quote]
susieqbbb (Inactive) 19 August 2008 6:01
Ok look at this.. (The "Power Player" handheld consoles) This guy is a moron these where banned in the u.s.a because people where building these units in japan and in china and loading them with tons of illegal nes roms so this guy is the worlds biggest loser. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 19 August 2008 8:08
Bootleging that nets a profit above 10K should be treated like drug sells and all property gained from the illicit profit be sold at auction by the state and the money split with the media mafia. [ + quote]
gallagher (Member) 19 August 2008 8:14
You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19 August 2008 8:17
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 19 August 2008 8:29
*Originally posted by gallagher:* You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. The highest price of "civilization" is oft the stupidity of it. [ + quote]
gnovak1 (Junior Member) 19 August 2008 9:45
Unfortunately most laws seem to benefit the criminals more than the victims. Why? Because the victim isn't alive to defend himself? Just my two cents !! [ + quote]
dssacer (Newbie) 19 August 2008 10:16
*Originally posted by gnovak1:* Unfortunately most laws seem to benefit the criminals more than the victims. Why? Because the victim isn't alive to defend himself? Just my two cents !! WELL in this case the victim is very well alive (RIAA,goverment,and all those stupid organizations that just want you to do what they say.)i'll like to be a flie in the wall and see the computers and consoles of the sons and family of all this agencies ppl including senators that pass laws against us the comsumer.i'll bet there's gotta be something illegal inside of it. sorry for my bad inglish.just my 2 cents. [ + quote]
TSRSteve (Newbie) 19 August 2008 11:06
I saw one of these in a mall in Tuscaloosa, AL a few years back and have always wished I'd have bought one. At the time I was wondering how they were getting away with having all of those copyrighted games in one system. I guess they didn't. [ + quote]
OneMember (AfterDawn Addict) 19 August 2008 13:59
*Quote:* Kifah Maswadi of Oakland, Florida was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay US$415,900 in restitution for selling pirate video games. Thats a good amount... can't complain. [ + quote]
lxfactor (Senior Member) 19 August 2008 14:16
whaa thats crazy.. i am from florida.. and ive seen these at the mall.. thats crazy i thought they was legit.. i guess not [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 20 August 2008 6:46
I think this is intresting. i feel that 15 months though is not fair a fine would be sufficent i think in this case. [ + quote]
LordRuss (Newbie) 20 August 2008 9:56
*Originally posted by gallagher:* You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. NO SHIT!!! After getting out of the military I had a meth lab cooking out of an old camper trailer next door to me. Then a few deranged idiots showing up late at night yelling at the meat trap daughter. Couldn't find a cop at any time then... It was only when I had called and said that someone was shot that they bothered to show up... But when I got a card reader from a site that supposedly catered to boosting satellite tv!!! All hell broke loose... I never saw court time, but talk about F!@#$KED up priorities... I got better respect from the Latin street gang that lived next to me in Texas than these assholes... [ + quote]
Thoatih12 (Senior Member) 20 August 2008 13:40
*Quote:* *Originally posted by gallagher:* You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. NO SHIT!!! After getting out of the military I had a meth lab cooking out of an old camper trailer next door to me. Then a few deranged idiots showing up late at night yelling at the meat trap daughter. Couldn't find a cop at any time then... It was only when I had called and said that someone was shot that they bothered to show up... But when I got a card reader from a site that supposedly catered to boosting satellite tv!!! All hell broke loose... I never saw court time, but talk about F!@#$KED up priorities... I got better respect from the Latin street gang that lived next to me in Texas than these assholes... welcome to the good old united states hahaha [ + quote]
shummyr (Member) 20 August 2008 13:47
I Say Lets allow piracy in the USA and maybe Prices on everything would finally drop We Can Only Dream for this day [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20 August 2008 13:48
ikari (Junior Member) 20 August 2008 14:39
*Quote:* *Originally posted by gallagher:* You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. NO SHIT!!! After getting out of the military I had a meth lab cooking out of an old camper trailer next door to me. Then a few deranged idiots showing up late at night yelling at the meat trap daughter. Couldn't find a cop at any time then... It was only when I had called and said that someone was shot that they bothered to show up... But when I got a card reader from a site that supposedly catered to boosting satellite tv!!! All hell broke loose... I never saw court time, but talk about F!@#$KED up priorities... I got better respect from the Latin street gang that lived next to me in Texas than these assholes... I wouldn't be too surprised. The court system is out to protect the companies and not the people. While I am sure that wasn't orginally what was meant to happen, but bribes do go a long way. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20 August 2008 14:40
defgod (Newbie) 20 August 2008 18:46
What's funny about this is the fact that I found one of these on ebay today. [ + quote]
varnull (AfterDawn Addict) 20 August 2008 18:53
Well 15 months should be long enough to get a good education in the ways of violent crime. Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. An engineer with a single tool in his toolbox is an idiot, not an engineer [ + quote]
LordRuss (Newbie) 21 August 2008 8:54
*Originally posted by varnull:* Well 15 months should be long enough to get a good education in the ways of violent crime. Hahahaha, if that ain't the truth! Buddy of mine that's retired from the prison system said some people need to remain medicated and some just plain need to stay locked up. It's also nice to know that we (tax payers) are going to pay for his education to LEGALLY go back and do the same thing again. Ain't love grand... [ + quote]
wiichess (Senior Member) 23 August 2008 23:28
*Originally posted by gallagher:* You know, it really sucks that here in the US, and in many other countries, people get longer terms than others for much less violent crimes. I am a teacher and have seen violent criminals who have attacked others, some with weapons, who have been given out of prison sentences. Then we have white collar criminals who commit piracy or tax evasion or use drugs who are sentenced to time in prison. I am sorry, but I would rather have a software pirate living next to me than a criminal who has sent people to the hospital. I just saw on the news a week ago that the preacher's wife from Tennessee who MURDERED her husband last year and fled from authorities with her children, just got released from jail and got custody of her kids back--after MURDERING her husband. Let's see the justice here: 12 months for killing your husband, 15 months for piracy . . . Amazing the imbalance of punishment we have. One word. "Corruption" It is all about the money being paid to those bastards in Washington. [ + quote]
dbminter (Member) 27 August 2008 20:45
*Originally posted by TSRSteve:* I saw one of these in a mall in Tuscaloosa, AL a few years back and have always wished I'd have bought one. You probably are better off you didn't get one. Those things are so cheaply made. I played with one on display in my local mall a few years ago and the down button on the controller only worked if you pressed it down and slightly to the side. They have to be made on the cheap in order to be so profitable, in addition to loading them with the ROMS they have no licenses for. [ + quote]