Taskforce snares 38-year-old for uploading three movies on to internet using latest technology
An unemployed Hong Kong man has become the first person in the world arrested for uploading three movies on to the internet using the latest Bit Torrent technology.
Customs officers, who arrested the man, 38, on Wednesday at his Tuen Mun home, said he uploaded the initial 'seeds' - data that can be used to download a movie or music - for Hollywood releases Daredevil, Red Planet and Miss Congeniality onto the newsgroup bt.newsgroup.com.hk on January 10 or 11.
It was the first arrest for a taskforce set up less than a month ago to tackle Bit Torrent (BT) peer-to-peer technology, the fastest-growing system for illegal downloading.
Motion Picture Association International's Greater China director of operations Sam Ho Wai-hung said details of the arrest had been sent to the association's home office in California. He said it would act as a useful reference for enforcers in western countries.
Customs officers also confiscated the man's two computers, computer-related equipment and about 400 video compact discs - half with pirated movies and the rest authentic products.
Assistant Commissioner (Intelligence and Investigation) William Chow Oi-tung said the arrest followed co-operation from various parties: the film industry, internet service providers and newsgroup managers.