Internet cafes shut in Italian raids

November, 22nd, 2006

Seven people of Chinese nationality were arrested during police raids against eight internet cafes in Tuscany that were involved in a massive piracy case.

The cafes were used to reproduce, store and distribute millions of files of copyright protected works through file-sharing networks. The users of the service were allowed to upload and download music, films and business software after the payment of a fee.

The operation, carried out by the Fiscal police (GdF) of Prato - a town near Florence - led to the seizure of the eight cafes and a total of 462 computers containing more than one million music tracks, movies, videogames and computer programmes.

The arrests of the internet cafes owners were ordered by the Public Prosecutor of Prato and the raids were conducted with the assistance of music, movie and software anti-piracy associations, FPM, Fapav and BSA as well as the Italian authors' society SIAE.

A further 23 people were indicted for the violation of several administrative laws and for illegal immigration.

For more information or pictures of the raids please contact:
Enzo Mazza
Federazione industria musicale italiana (FIMI)
Galleria del Corso 4
20122 Milano
Tel. +39-2-795 879
www.fimi.it
www.pro-music.it
www.fpm-antipiracy.it
Anti-Piracy toll free line: 800 338 698