New White House plan increases FBI anti-piracy force

by JC Fletcher on Jun 23rd 2010 2:30PM

Yesterday, the White House announced its new Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. In the plan, Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel describes an initiative to increase FBI resources devoted to investigating and curbing piracy of films, games, and other materials.

In addition to the five agents doing full-time IP work at the FBI's Intellectual Property Rights Unit, "by the end of FY 2010, the FBI intends to employ over 50 Special Agents exclusively devoted to pursuing intellectual property investigations operating in field offices throughout the country and four enhanced intellectual property squads."

ESA president Michael Gallagher spoke in support of the plan in a statement released yesterday. "We deeply appreciate the efforts of Vice President Biden and Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Espinel and their leadership and vision in this critical area," Gallagher said. "We also applaud the numerous federal departments and agencies that are committed to protecting intellectual property rights, here and in foreign markets - both of which are critical to our industry's continuing growth and ability to deliver innovative entertainment experiences."

Source: ESA, Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement

Tags: ESA, FBI, Michael-Gallagher, piracy, White-House

Reader Comments (88)

I don't see how 50 agents could stop the millions of pirates in america, but whatever. TPB forever.

@toadsworth

I don't see how protecting and enforcing the IP rights of privately held companies is anywhere in the freaking ballpark of a Federal concern.

What the hell are they doing using my tax dollars for this? They're effectively making me pitch money into the entertainment budgets for products I have no interest in.

@onan

That's big government for you. Instead of protecting the rights of individuals, this current regime is in the pockets of big business. Welcome to the suck!

@toadsworth

Wow, let's not even go there. The previous few administrations aren't exactly innocent of this either. It's beyond the scope of a gaming-centric blog though, so let's just let it go.

@toadsworth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp9CYTBm5Bg

this guy has some idea of how theyre going to be doing it . just skip to about 5 :25 or so and see for yourself.

@onan and you probably voted for maobama.

@onan
more actual sales equals more tax dollars equals slightly smaller budget deficit?

@onan

You're the type that loves to dwell on the past. Most people care about the current and future.

Data moved to Externals - Check
High Powered Magnets Ready - Check
Front/Rear Entry Camers - Check

BRING IT!

@MystileArmor

Trying to look cool on message boards by mocking others... check.
Pulling the spelling/grammar card... check.
Crying about someone else being different from you... check.
Using an example that doesn't even apply to you... check.

You sir, meet the criteria of douchebag.

@tezzgod74 I thought douchebags were people who tanned too much and popped their collars, not grammar attentive people on the internet

@tezzgod74

Records from your ISP: Check

Aaaaand you're busted.

Let me get this straight, I'm getting downvoted because I think people who brag about being pirates are idiots?
I mean, think of me what you want. I don't really care nor am I trying to "look cool". I just don't get how you can defend someone who is making YOUR hobby more of a hassle in the long run.

You don't think this affects all area's of video-gaming? Try to play your copy of Final Fight on your PS3 without being connected to the internet!!

@tezzgod74

Brock, EA hasn't even changed that much either. Both major publishers are currently whining about used game sales "stealing" from them, which is akin to Honda wanting a cut if I sold my car. Everyone in the industry wants to turn gamers from owners into renters.

The thing that's worrisome is that there's word they plan on prosecuting based on "intent" to pirate. As in, just googling "Daft Punk torrent" or "Starcraft torrent" will be enough for them to start a case against you.

Don't worry... If you pirated it because you couldn't afford it or because the DRM is too restrictive, they'll let you slide!

@Erluti Phew, thank goodness I was beginning to think the FBI was going to take me awa

@pibs

Did someone say Candle Ja

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, mateys!

What a waste of money.

Yeah, this should be about as successful as the War On Drugs, and the efforts to end illegal immigration.

@copa

Seriously. If the entire law enforcement branch of the government cant stop kids from smoking pot on street corners, I doubt they are going to stop people from pirating video games at home.

@copa Or about as unsuccessful as policing oil/meat/etc corporations.

@copa Damn those etc manufacturer's! Damn them to hell!

@copa

I don't see how the two are related. With drugs, its an issue of a black market existing where a monitored and regulated market could exist for some products and then it would be to most everyones benefiet.
In this case its a matter of theft, not prohibition.

You're absolutely right though in regards to theft being an issue society will be dealing with/combating as long as it exists, with the variation really being an issue of how much you want to criminalize these people.

yay for getting off topic!

@copa

It's pretty easy to catch people pirating, in comparison to smoking some weed or a random dude running across the border.

The only way to prevent piracy is to completely destroy net neutrality.

@FOI

That won't stop it, as social hot spots are still ripe with "trading warez." - I also can't think of a single LAN party that I've been to where everyone doesn't go home with about 10 games they've never purchased.

The only way to stop piracy is... well, there really is no way.

@FOI

Sorry redjack, but that simply isn't true.

As much as I hate the music industry, it costs much more than a penny to produce a CD. Once you get past the actual production costs of the disc, which probably is very close to a penny, you have to cover all the marketing, advertising, etc. that the publisher has done for the artist, as well as all the money they put up to front the cost of the actual production of the music.

When they charge you $10-$15 for an album, they're just making money back on the investment that they made when they promoted and produced the artist. If you're willing to pay that much, then they get a return. If you're not, then they don't.

Either way, overcharging or not, you're not entitled to the music for free.

Remember, the music industry persists because the artists you claim to want to support keep signing contracts with them - nobody is forcing them to do so.

@FOI You have no idea what net neutrality is. Please educate yourself before bringing piracy into it and making the two synonymous in the minds of ignorant people everywhere.

For clarity: Net neutrality is the idea that ISPs should not charge extra for access to freely available content. This has nothing to do with bit torrent.

Yes, because piracy is a threat to our safety and way of life. I forgot how much jeopardy and peril we face day to day because college kids can download DVD rips of films and PC games that slightly interested them but would never spend money on even if they had it.

This is god damn ridiculous. It's good to know how clearly the government is an extension of our business.

@Punkrawk Bbob

Ya, comment reply system is even worse than it was before. Agree with you 100% about Mystile being an overreacting spaz btw.

@Punkrawk Bbob

Piracy is actually a threat to our way of life, if you value your freedom on the internet. If piracy weren't as rampant, governments and content publishers wouldn't be so eager to try to clamp down on it.

It is the freedom of the internet (and the willingness of participants to break the law) that allows piracy to continue, and it will be the freedom of the internet that is forfeit when the shit finally hits the fan.

@Punkrawk Bbob Considering how an entire generation of people about to or soon to enter the workforce have grown up or are growing up with the idea that stealing is ok, I'd say that's a pretty big threat to society's way of life.

@Punkrawk Bbob

"If piracy weren't as rampant, governments and content publishers wouldn't be so eager to try to clamp down on it."

So it's bad because they react to it being bad? Do you not see what an incredibly dumb circle that is?

"It is the freedom of the internet (and the willingness of participants to break the law) that allows piracy to continue, and it will be the freedom of the internet that is forfeit when the shit finally hits the fan. "

The internet is bigger than any one country. The only way piracy will close or limit the internet as a whole (and not just the communities that promote illegal activity) is if the entire planet fell under one rule. One government. Which will not happen. Ever.

"Considering how an entire generation of people about to or soon to enter the workforce have grown up or are growing up with the idea that stealing is ok, I'd say that's a pretty big threat to society's way of life. "

Piracy =/= stealing. It's copyright infringement. Theft involves something tangible. Something you physically take away so another person no longer has it. Piracy is duplicating data. It's the electronic form of tracing someone elses artwork. He still has his artwork.

@Punkrawk Bbob

Quibbling over whether or not piracy meets the same dictionary definition of theft is stupid.

Fact is, you're taking the fruits of other peoples' labors without paying them, and that creates an imbalance that isn't easily absorbed in a society based on trade and consumerism.

If you think the internet is bigger than all this, you are mistaken; you must think the internet is some magic ethereal web that floats around on everyone's computers, and doesn't really have any central stations.

Well guess what? It's not. And when big businesses start losing too much money, they will appeal to governments on a global scale to stop piracy. I do not want to live in a world where the largest businesses collude with the largest governments, so I don't pirate. Don't think for a second that the internet is immune to government and big-business tampering, because it's not. It's more fragile than you know.

@FredFredrickson
You already live in that world and have for quite some time...

@Punkrawk Bbob

"If you think the internet is bigger than all this, you are mistaken; you must think the internet is some magic ethereal web that floats around on everyone's computers, and doesn't really have any central stations."

No, I know how it works. I went to school and got an education in networking. I'm pretty sure I know a hell of a lot more about the structure of the internet than you do. Maybe that's why I'm not terrified of ignorant and irrational fears of some form of government shutting it down. It's not fragile, it's built to be the opposite. If one link goes down, another route is made. DNS lists build off of any other existing DNS lists floating out there. The internet is so incredibly secure that you have a better chance of reversing the effects of gravity with your mind than any individual or organization crashing or controlling it for more than few moments. So piss off for assuming you have any idea what I know because you live in crazy conspiracy land and I live in reality.

@Punkrawk Bbob

"Quibbling over whether or not piracy meets the same dictionary definition of theft is stupid."

Oh, and get over yourself. I'm not just using some dictionary definition. In the court room they're incredibly different and carry entirely different penalties. Besides, words have meanings for a reason. We have different words for stealing and copyright infringement for a reason - They're two different things. Let me know when you decide to start using the English language instead of fitting it into your mold. Otherwise I'm done here.

@Punkrawk Bbob Thanks for proving my point fellas. A downvote for me and upvotes for Bob, including one where he goes on a mad tangent of self righteousness and impetuousness about what was clearly not at all Fred's point just serves to show how right I was.

Bob, they might be separate words with separate meanings, but they both send you to jail.

@Punkrawk Bbob

TheDarkWayne,

Murder, rape, and child molestation also send you to prison.

You know, you're right. Apparently they're all the same as downloading an mp3 of "wheels on the bus go round and round" or pirating a copy of Zuma? Copyright infringement, theft, rape, murder, and ruining a human being's life forever are all the same thing. Thanks for opening my eyes.

wow Mystile, way to bleed out your vag... I'm pretty sure he was half joking. But hey you enjoy that soap box you are on there.

broken comment system... I replied to Mystiles comment (even said so above the reply box...

Lol 5 people... just lol

Lets see where this comment goes!!

Games... I would think most people here are against video game piracy.

Movies... eh, its up to the person in my mind. There's just some things that the US doesn't want distributed here or that goes out of print so fast you can't enjoy it any other way.

Music... the record industry has been fleecing us for years with the price of CDs. $16 or more? Really? It cost you a penny to produce that CD. And I remember when stores still sold tapes alongside CD's. $8 to the $16 for the "new technology" even though it cost less to produce than the old tech. I'll give money directly to an artist or a small obscure record company any day but everyone else can bend over and take it. ARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Actually it isn't really talking out of your ass. I knew of a case through a law enforcement buddy were someone had an electro magnet ready to corrupt drives if the feds came. Took a while for them to catch on.

Well as an artist, I hope they find some new and smart ways of battling piracy.

I don't care how you try to justify it - piracy is wrong. You are not entitled to media for free.

@FredFredrickson

If you don't pay for it, you don't have any right to play it, listen to it, or watch it. Doesn't matter of it's overpriced, has insane DRM, or if you "wouldn't have bought it anyway" There's no excuse.

Uhmmm, ok, all this is gonna prove is that PC Games, Music and movie sales arent affected by pirating. Whatever, i like my steam and my xbox live for a reason, i want to see the stuff without getting up and switching discs, thats why they are losing money, they cant keep up with the times.

@emirabal PC Game sales aren't affected by piracy? Is that why world of goo had a 90% piracy rate and why more than 2 million copies of Spore were pirated?

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New White House plan increases FBI anti-piracy force

Reader Comments (88)

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:32PM toadsworth said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 5:49PM onan said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 6:21PM James1 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 6:34PM onan said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 7:53PM logicplay said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 8:55PM styleznma said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 9:18PM ructus said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 9:20PM James1 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:33PM tezzgod74 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:06PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:29PM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:29PM FredFredrickson said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:37PM MystileArmor said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 7:08PM Regault said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:36PM Erluti said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:41PM pibs said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 4:57PM Alexisonfire said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:36PM arkweld said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:42PM deddyluger said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:51PM copa said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:59PM R Planteer said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:12PM BigD145 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:28PM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 4:53PM Draugdraugr said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 5:27PM Chibi Chaingun said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 2:59PM FOI said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:03PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:27PM FredFredrickson said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:45PM jsx92 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:00PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:11PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:22PM FredFredrickson said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:30PM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 4:00PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 5:20PM FredFredrickson said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 6:06PM mietha said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 6:15PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 6:23PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 24th 2010 12:40AM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Jun 24th 2010 3:36PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:02PM psyXcho said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:05PM psyXcho said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:02PM kooda said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:10PM Mortegro said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:17PM redjack said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:17PM C1 said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:20PM FredFredrickson said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:38PM CaramelZappa said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:30PM emirabal said

Posted: Jun 23rd 2010 3:35PM TheDarkWayne said

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