Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 18, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
In this case, the ring extended beyond Germany into France. Since January 30, officers have searched the business premises of Internet service providers and numerous private homes. Under the lead of Saxony criminal police and the Chemnitz public prosecutor’s office, more than 10 servers holding over 5 terabytes of data were seized.
The main suspect in these proceedings is regarded as a leading figure in the pay-FTP server scene. Back in 2005, the responsible authorities had already initiated criminal proceedings against him following a complaint by the Gesellschaft zur Verfolgung von Urheberrechtsverletzungen e.V. (GVU). Even then, the perpetrator earned his living by operating a pay-server ring. In the course of those proceedings, the authorities were able to identify 500 customers of the man who received access to the FTP servers in return for a monthly subscription fee of 25 euros. Current cinema films and entertainment software were available there for illegal download. Total revenues of 75,000 euros could be established.
Although the main perpetrator was charged in mid-2007 and is shortly to stand trial, he had meanwhile opened a new closed server ring of interconnected computers, a so-called site ring. This time, he had third parties rent the servers, in return for which they received free access to the pirated copies and revenue. All other users again paid 25 to 30 euros for the ability to download pirated films and games. Following corresponding information from a former site-ring member, the raids began at the end of January under the lead of Saxony criminal police. The GVU has filed another criminal complaint.
Christian Sommer, Chairman of the GVU, comments: “We congratulate the Saxony State Criminal Police Office and the Chemnitz public prosecutor’s office on this outstanding success. I would particularly like to emphasise the authorities’ prudent handling of the investigations, making use of GVU information on cross-border illegal distribution channels and structures.” Thanks to this proven approach, Sommer continues, a leading figure in the pay-FTP server scene has now been taken out of circulation. He had conducted a thriving, organised trade in illegal copies from the release-group scene. Such prolific criminal offenders in particular are the focus of GVU activity, as they bear considerable responsibility for annual losses to the film industry of several hundred million euros by operating their businesses at the point where pirated copies enter mass distribution.