Blog Post

PRESS RELEASE: German court sentences card sharing operator to 18 months in prison for computer fraud

AAPA

7th January 2014

The district court in Stolzenau (Lower Saxony, Germany) has pronounced a clear verdict in a criminal case against a 51-year-old man who was charging third parties to provide them with pay-TV programming illegally obtained from the pay TV company, Sky Deutschland. Services were provided to the third parties through card sharing. The defendant was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment without parole for commercial computer fraud carried out in partnership with others. The ruling has been appealed.

Following Sky and NAGRA's consistent measures to combat information and communication technology crime, the companies' expert tracked this case for a few years. It was suspected that the same offender had sold such illegal offers via the internet on several occasions. Sky and NAGRA, the manufacturer of one of the content protection systems used by Sky, worked closely together on intensive intelligence-gathering. On the basis of their findings, the Central Office for Combating Information and Communication Technology Crime of the Verden public prosecutor's office commenced proceedings that led to the identification and successful prosecution of the perpetrator.

Dr. Andreas Rudloff, Vice President Platform Services & Security at Sky said that "The verdict is a further decisive step in the fight against information and communication technology crimes, also known as cybercrime. Once again, a clear sign has been given that the perpetrators of these illegal activities will be brought to justice. Close cooperation between the companies affected – Sky Deutschland and NAGRA in this case - during the preliminary investigations in the black market and the persistent investigative work by the law enforcement authorities have shown that decisive, focussed action leads to success."

Pascal Métral, Vice-President Legal Affairs at NAGRA and Kudelski Security said that: “This sentence sends a strong signal to pirates and cyber criminals, whereby pay-tv piracy and cybercrime is considered as severe offences and punished as such. This decision is the result of efficient cooperation between Sky Deutschland and NAGRA andthorough investigation by the cybercrime unit of the Verden public prosecutor's office. NAGRA is continuing the battle against piracy and cybercrime to support its customers in Germany and elsewhere around the globe.”

Sheila Cassells, Executive Director of AAPA, commented that: “This case shows that persistence and tenacity pay off and demonstrates also the benefits of collaboration amongst AAPA members. Very importantly, the case has confirmed that card sharing is a computer fraud and associated investigation techniques should be applied.”

< Older Post Newer Post >

Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 1 October 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) publishes its first Manifesto, linked here . The document aims to recognise past efforts of EU legislators when it comes to content protection and the fight against copyright infringement, whilst admitting that more can and should be done to address this growing issue. Miruna Herovanu, Executive Director of AAPA said : " After years of laying the groundwork to combat online piracy it’s time for EU policymakers and beyond to fully acknowledge that decisive, targeted measures are needed at the European level. The rise of digital theft demands action. We call for strong political resolve to end the theft of our members' content. We're ready to support every stakeholder—law enforcement, policymakers, and industry representatives—to dismantle criminal networks and protect European consumers from harm."

AAPA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by AAPA • 28 May 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) has announced the appointment of Miruna Herovanu as its Executive Director. Miruna was previously the Director at the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand in Europe in charge of Intellectual Property and Competition policies. She took up her position with AAPA on 27 May 2024 and will be based in Brussels. Miruna will replace Sheila Cassells who is retiring as Executive Vice President of AAPA and will report on a day-to-day basis to the two Co-Presidents, Mark Mulready, VP of Cyber Services at Irdeto and Oliver Pribramksy, Head of IP Protection and Committees at the Deutsche Fussball Liga. She will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy agreed by AAPA members, managing relationships with law enforcement agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, INTERPOL and the European Institutions, delivery of AAPA’s Working Group goals and general management of the Alliance. Mark Mulready said that: “We are delighted to appoint someone of Miruna’s calibre and experience to become the Executive Director of AAPA. Miruna’s commitment to copyright protection is well-known. Her knowledge of the Brussels institutions and the EUIPO will stand AAPA in good stead for future policy developments. A priority will be for Miruna to work closely with AAPA members, the EUIPO and the European Institutions to deliver on, inter alia, the goals of combatting online piracy of sports and other live events recommendation.” Miruna Herovanu commented that: “My professional experience demonstrated that piracy is an ever-growing issue that eats at the heart of Europe’s most important industries. This is a golden opportunity and a new professional challenge that will help further develop my passion for and commitment to protecting copyright. Being able to work with and support industry experts and practitioners in AAPA, law enforcement, the European Institutions and other trade associations is essential to the fight against piracy. I am excited to be taking on this role.”