Webmaster Arrests

Officers from the National Police have arrested three directors of a website used for downloading films and TV shows. The economic benefit, which was achieved through adverts and benefits posted on the website, is estimated as exceeding 600,000 euro over three years.

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The proceeds came from users in Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Mexico, Chile, Finland, Switzerland and Ecuador.

The investigations began following a complaint filed by the major film producers and videographic distribution companies directed against those responsible for the website for an offence against intellectual property. Such sites offer audiovisual works such as films or TV series, which they are unauthorised to distribute. Access to the content was by direct download links to files and through streaming from dedicated servers.

The investigations allowed agents to determine that the site was owned by a company run by three people, who also ran other networked sites for commercial purposes.