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Press Release
For Immediate Release April 24, 2003 |
U.S. Department of
Justice
United States Attorney District of Rhode Island Contact: Thomas Connell Phone: (401) 528-5224 Email: thomas.connell@usdoj.gov | |||
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David C. Russo, of Warwick, pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy
charge, admitting that he participated in a network of software pirates
that distributed stolen computer programs, movies, and computer games
over the Internet. Russo, 49, of 106 Brunswick Drive, admitted that he
acted as a tester for the group, which was known as DrinkOrDie, testing
pirated software to see if it worked properly. The "warez scene" At the plea hearing today, Michael DuBose, Senior Counsel with the Department
of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, said that
DrinkOrDie was a highly structured group of about 60 members that specialized
in distributing copies of pirated computer software over the Internet.
The group sought to be the fastest provider of the highest quality pirated
software to an underground Internet community known as the "warez
scene." 270 software titles In return for his testing, Russo received access to FTP sites and was
able to use pirated software, play pirated games and view pirated movies.
Over a one-year period between November 2000 and October 2001, Russo tested
numerous copies of pirated copyrighted works on his home computer and
uploaded or downloaded thousands of pirated programs, games and movies.
During the same time period, the DrinkOrDie group as a whole was responsible
for cracking and distributing over the Internet more than 270 software
titles. Operation Buccaneer In 2000, DrinkOrDie and other piracy groups associated with the "warez
scene" became the focus of a federal investigation known as Operation
Buccaneer. In addition to Russo, more than 20 defendants have pleaded
guilty to federal charges in Virginia, Califronia, and Illinois as a result
of Operation Buccaneer, which was led by the United States Customs Service
and theDepartment of Justice. In addition, prosecutions are underway in
several foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland.
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