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Florida man faces $415,000 fine & 2 years of jail for piracy of NES games

Twisted | August 26, 2008 | News | Wii DS 
A Florida man is facing 15 months in jail, and a $415,000 fine - for pirating NES games. After his jail time he will have to serve 50 hours of community service, by telling people why they shouldn't pirate.
We all know piracy is illegal -- like, go to jail and pay huge fines illegal -- but it never hurts to get a little reminder. If you don't believe us, ask Kifah Maswadi, no, better yet, attend one of his forthcoming lectures focusing on the perils of copyright infringement. The 24 year-old Florida man has recently been sentenced to 15 months in prison and fined $415,000, according to Games Press. After serving his time in prison, Maswadi will face three years of supervised release and "perform 50 hours of community service, which includes educating the public on the perils of copyright infringement.

Maswadi was busted in April, 2007 when FBI agents raided his home after a year-long investigation surrounding the sale of the 'Power Player,' an illegal game console containing 76 built-in games, most of which are copyright protected titles from the NES or Famicom. Like Yonathan Cohen of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who was also arrested on similar charges, Maswadi presumably purchased the product from Chinese wholesalers for $7 to $9 each and sold them for $23.99 or $47.99, depending on the model. The Feds estimate that Maswadi earned around $390,000 from selling the units, which makes us ask, "who the hell actually bought these, and why?"
13 comments | go to source (www.gamepolitics.com) | Add to favorites! favourite this article | send to friend
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  • 0 thumbs!
    ali3n | August 26, 2008
    Since when has 15 months equaled 3 years? The source says 15 months of jail time whereas the title says 3 years...
    • 1 thumbs!
      chautemoc | August 26, 2008
      Edited .
      • 1 thumbs!
        Capn Droid | August 27, 2008
        15 months =/= 2 years either.

  • 0 thumbs!
    Linkin Park Fan | August 26, 2008
    They are probably trying to make an exsample of him for other piraters.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Starsky134 | August 26, 2008
    That would suck, did he really pirate 415 G's worth a NES games? Or is there like a $414,000 fine for pirating?
    • 0 thumbs!
      Linkin Park Fan | August 27, 2008
      No thats his fine for pirating
      • 0 thumbs!
        Starsky134 | August 29, 2008
        Holy crap, I'd feel like such an idiot.
  • 2 thumbs!
    Sakuraba Neku | August 27, 2008
    Thats why you don't sell things that already have pirated stuff on them. Just things that can be used to pirate.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Big A2 | August 27, 2008
    Now you're playing with power! Super lawuit power!
  • 0 thumbs!
    Fatal Error | August 27, 2008
    What is interesting is that (at least a few years ago), piracy laws weren't attached to those old games because they were unavailable for purchase from retailers, meaning that the developers got nothing out of any legitimate purchases made at that point in time anyways. I suppose this sudden enforcement is due to the DLC on Wii that includes NES games?
    • 0 thumbs!
      Sakuraba Neku | August 27, 2008
      I think the main reason he got in trouble was for selling the pirated stuff.
      • 0 thumbs!
        Fatal Error | August 28, 2008
        Ohhh I didn't really read deep into the article so I didn't know he was actually selling the stuff. Well yes, that's a different matter altogether. No one likes those guys.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Shadow_Knight | August 31, 2008
    15 months=One and 1/4 of a year. Lol.


    I am the smae as Fatal Error.

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