A Las Vegas jury has convicted five men for operating Jetflicks, an illegal streaming service boasting a content library larger than Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon combined. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the group launched the service in 2007 by sourcing illegal copies of content online and storing them on Jetflicks servers. Over the years, they amassed millions of dollars by streaming this content to tens of thousands of paid subscribers.
The convicted men are found guilty of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, among other charges. One of the defendants, facing additional counts, could be sentenced to a maximum of 48 years in prison. The other four defendants could each face up to five years behind bars.
The operation of Jetflicks represented a sophisticated and large-scale infringement of copyright laws, exploiting vast amounts of pirated television shows and movies. The DOJ emphasized that the group’s activities caused significant financial harm to content creators and legitimate streaming services.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, remarked on the seriousness of the crime. “The convictions underscore the department’s commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring that those who undermine legitimate businesses and creators are held accountable,” Polite stated.
The case against Jetflicks highlights the ongoing battle against digital piracy and the illegal distribution of copyrighted content. The DOJ continues to prioritize such cases to protect the interests of the entertainment industry and its consumers.
The convictions are a reminder of the legal repercussions associated with copyright infringement and the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the digital age. The sentencing for the convicted men will be determined in the coming months.
Image by Frank Reppold from Pixabay
