Ashcroft Swoops Down on Pirates

WASHINGTON — Taking a break from his dislike of the porn industry, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has turned his attention to the thriving piracy industry in what the government is calling a so-far successful three month investigation into some of the more sophisticated piracy operations in the U.S. and in countries like France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Operation Fastlink, which launched in February of this year and includes the combined efforts of the FBI, the Recording Industry of America, and the Motion Picture Association of America, has been tracking more than 100 people in the U.S. and Europe believed to have been involved in the theft of $50 million worth of music, movies, and software.

"Intellectual property theft is a global problem that hurts economies around the world," Ashcroft said in a statement. "To be effective, we must respond globally."

As part of the first leg of the investigation, which conducted 120 searches in just 24-hours, the feds targeted some of the more notorious pirating organizations that use peer-to-peer networks to amass marketable pirated content. Some of the so-called "warez" groups the feds aimed to dismantle included well-known organizations like Echelon, Fairlight, Kalisto, Class, Project X, and APC.

Warez groups typically include a network of people who participate in the preparation and distribution of stolen content like music, video games, software, and movies. According to the FBI, those groups include the inside suppliers of content, source code strippers, and distributors who transmit the illegally obtained content.

Investigations were conducted in 27 states in 10 different countries, the feds announced Thursday.

So far authorities claim the investigation has yielded the seizure of an estimated 200 computers and 30 computers that served as storage and distribution hubs for pirated content. Fastlink agents claim that one of the servers they seized contained 65,000 pirated files.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Time Drops New Installment of 'MILF Overload'

Adult Time has released the latest installment of director Jim Powers' series "MILF Overload."

Coco Bae Fronts Latest From Reality Kings

Coco Bae stars with Jordi El Nino Polla in the latest release from Reality Kings.

Eve Sweet Stars in Latest From Blacked Raw

Vixen Angel Eve Sweet stars with Vixen Media Group (VMG) exclusive Jason Luv in the latest release from studio imprint Blacked Raw.

Brazzers Drops Season Finale of 'MILF Quest'

Brazzers has released the final episode of the first season of "MILF Quest," hosted by Cherie DeVille.

Beca Barbie Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Beca Barbie has made her debut for Hookup Hotshot alongside Nade Nasty.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Valerica Steele Headlines Jonni Darkko's 'DVP Sluts'

Valerica Steele toplines director Jonni Darkko’s “DVP Sluts,” from Evil Angel.

Michael Ninn Returns With 'Catherine' Sequel Made Entirely by AI

Veteran filmmaker Michael Ninn, though retired from the adult business for the past 10 years, recently unveiled a new episodic project titled "Catherine II: The Series," which serves as a sequel to his 2005 adult film "Catherine."

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Show More