Kerry Gonzalez fromUniversal City in California has been sentenced for Felony Copyright Infringement. He plead guilty to posting on the Internet an unfinished version of 'The Hulk' several weeks before reaching the theatres. Judge Lynch sentenced Kerry to six months home confinement and three years probation. He has also been fined $ 2,000 and been ordered to pay $ 5,000 to Universal.
The Judge made it clear that sharing or uploading movies over the Internet is equivalent to stealing DVDs. In addition to Kerry's charges, this felony will permanently remain on his record and have an impact on the rest of his life. This outcome aims to prove that the internet is not an anonymous or untraceable place for abusing or distributing intellectual property.
In issuing the sentence, Judge Lynch noted that this kind of criminal act contributes to broader behavior that causes massive harm to the motion picture industry. He emphasized that uploading films to the Internet was just as sleazy as stealing DVDs. "This outcome sends a strong message to anyone who steals or abuses intellectual property by uploading or downloading it on the Internet," said Karen Randall, executive vice president and general counsel, Vivendi Universal Entertainment. Ms. Randall continued, "In addition to home confinement, financial restitution and probation, Mr. Gonzalez pled guilty to a felony that will remain on his permanent record and undoubtedly have a profound effect on the rest of his life. This sentence clearly proves that the Internet is not an anonymous place, that illegal behavior is transparent and traceable and that we will pursue and hold accountable individuals who engage in this criminal behavior." Mr. Gonzalez was contrite in his response to the Judge. He acknowledged that his terrible decision had led to the loss of his good name and to a significant financial burden. He stated that his actions had been devastating for his family and he also said that he wanted to use his experience to teach others about the consequences of piracy. STATEMENT BY JACK VALENTI - President and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America On Hulk Pirate Felony Copyright Infringement Sentencing: "This sentencing makes clear that there are serious and permanent consequences for those who steal motion pictures. This should also puncture the myth that illegal activity on the Internet is 'safe' because it is untraceable. The actions of this individual, and others who engage in unauthorized uploading and downloading of films online, threaten the nearly one million men and women whose livelihoods rely on the motion picture industry, who have mortgages to pay and kids to send to college. Movie stealing hurts all of these Americans." September 26, 2003 |
The file sharing networks may seem to be a nice place to obtain unreleased movies, but it is has a much greater risk to both the person sharing and the person downloading since there is a more severe penalty if caught compared to sharing movies that are already on DVD in the stores. Unlike sharing copyrighted music, all this person had to do was share a single movie to suffer these severe consequences.
Source: Yahoo Financial News
