The Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) is now targeting domain registrars of websites rather than site owners, a news report has revealed.
According to TorrentFreak, the new unit’s change of strategy has led to several domains for major torrent websites being suspended.
SumoTorrent and MisterTorrent have both lost control of their domains while ExtraTorrent has suspended its .dom site.
A letter sent by the authorities to registrars says they could be breaking laws surrounding copyright by supporting certain domains.
The letter, quoted by TorrentFreak, said: ‘The owners of the aforementioned domains are suspected to be involved in the criminal distribution of copyrighted material either directly or indirectly and are liable to prosecution under UK law for the following offences: Conspiracy to Defraud, Offences under the Fraud Act 2006, Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.’
PIPCU has criminal and civil powers to seize money, belongings and any property in connection with the copyright infringement, the message added.
The new unit was launched by the City of London Police last month to help protect the creative industries from online copyright crime.
According to TorrentFreak, the new unit’s change of strategy has led to several domains for major torrent websites being suspended.
SumoTorrent and MisterTorrent have both lost control of their domains while ExtraTorrent has suspended its .dom site.
A letter sent by the authorities to registrars says they could be breaking laws surrounding copyright by supporting certain domains.
The letter, quoted by TorrentFreak, said: ‘The owners of the aforementioned domains are suspected to be involved in the criminal distribution of copyrighted material either directly or indirectly and are liable to prosecution under UK law for the following offences: Conspiracy to Defraud, Offences under the Fraud Act 2006, Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.’
PIPCU has criminal and civil powers to seize money, belongings and any property in connection with the copyright infringement, the message added.
The new unit was launched by the City of London Police last month to help protect the creative industries from online copyright crime.
