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Rochester Man Indicted for Selling Illicit DVDs
A Rochester man has been brought to justice for his involvement in a brazen copyright infringement scheme that left the film industry reeling. Eugene DeBerger, 60, of Rochester, N.Y., was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $41,460 to the Motion Picture Association by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, DeBerger’s illicit activities began in January 2007 and continued until August 2010. During this time, the defendant would purchase legal copies of copyright-protected DVD movies and then burn them onto his home computer. He would then sell these illicit copies online for a mere $3.99 a piece.
The scope of DeBerger’s operation was staggering, with the defendant selling over 7,000 DVDs during the three-year period. This reckless disregard for the law has finally come to an end, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Richard Frankel, Acting Special Agent in Charge.
The investigation into DeBerger’s activities was a complex and time-consuming process, but the end result was well worth it. DeBerger’s sentence serves as a reminder that copyright infringement will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.
The Motion Picture Association has been a long-time advocate for stricter copyright laws and has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of content creators. The association has praised the efforts of the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office for their role in bringing DeBerger to justice.
In a statement, the association said, ‘We are pleased that the court has held Mr. DeBerger accountable for his actions. This sentence serves as a reminder that copyright infringement is a serious offense and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.’
As for DeBerger, he will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the next three years. The sentence is a harsh reminder that copyright infringement is a serious crime, and those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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