Software Piracy Website Operator Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

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Nathan L. Peterson, 27, of Antelope Acres, Calif. has been handed out a sentence of 87 months in jail by Judge T.S. Ellis, III of the Eastern District of Virginia. This is the largest sentence associated
with a software piracy case following the six years in prison received by Danny Ferrer, ex-operator of the www.BuysUSA.com, the past month. Additionally, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg of the Eastern District of Virginia revealed in a press release that Peterson will also pay in excess of $5.4 million in restitution.

"This defendant lined his pockets by stealing the hard work of others," said Fisher. "Today's sentence sends a clear message that those who sell pirated software will be convicted and punished."

The operator of http://www.ibackups.net Website is presented as somewhat of a trophy by the authorities as Peterson is regarded as the most prolific US software pirate.

"Stealing the intellectual property of others is always a bad idea in any context. It's theft. And, so, a sentence of seven plus years in prison and restitution of $5.4 million is richly deserved," said Rosenberg.

The total proceedings of illegal software distribution amounts to over $5.4 million, but the actual extent of the financial damages is in excess of $20 million. The federal sentence of 87 months of incarceration and $5.4 million restitution adds to a state sentence of 16 months of prison passed on June1, 2006.