http://www.nbc4.tv/technology/2502786/detail.html September 22, 2003 LOS ANGELES -- In what prosecutors say was the first jury conviction ever under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a Florida man was convicted in Los Angeles of selling hardware used to pirate DirecTV broadcasts. Thomas Michael Whitehead, 38, of Boca Raton, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy, two counts of selling unlawful decryption devices and three counts of violating the DMCA, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Spertus said. Whitehead faces up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $2.75 million when he is sentenced Jan. 26 by U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder. Spertus said Whitehead -- also known as Jungle Mike -- paid a co-conspirator $250 a month to continually update software to circumvent the latest DirecTV security measures. Whitehead then used the software to create and sell modified DirecTV access cards, the prosecutor said. The conduct violated the DMCA, which bars trafficking in technology primarily designed to get around security measures to access a copyrighted work. Whitehead was indicted earlier this year as part of Operation Decrypt, an undercover FBI investigation that targeted computer programmers and hardware manufacturers who distribute devices used to steal signals from DirecTV and DISH Network. Several other defendants in the case previously pleaded guilty to various charges, including violations of the DMCA, Spertus said. - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomo@private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
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