Their operation, which began as early as 2007, involved using advanced computer scripts and software to scour pirate websites for unauthorized copies of TV episodes. These episodes were then downloaded and hosted on Jetflicks servers.
This week, a federal jury in Las Vegas reached a verdict, finding five men guilty for orchestrating one of the biggest illegal streaming platforms in the United States. This unauthorized service raked in millions of dollars in subscription fees, all the while inflicting significant damage to the rightful owners of television program copyrights.
Court documents and evidence presented during the trial have revealed that Kristopher Dallmann, Douglas Courson, Felipe Garcia, Jared Jaurequi, and Peter Huber were the masterminds behind Jetflicks, an online streaming service that operated on a subscription basis.
Their operation, which began as early as 2007, involved using advanced computer scripts and software to scour pirate websites for unauthorized copies of TV episodes. These episodes were then downloaded and hosted on Jetflicks servers.
“The defendants operated Jetflicks, an illicit streaming service they used to distribute hundreds of thousands of stolen television episodes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their scheme generated millions of dollars in criminal profits, while causing copyright owners to lose out. These convictions underscore the Criminal Division’s commitment to protecting intellectual property rights by prosecuting digital piracy schemes and bringing offenders to justice.”
Incredibly, the group managed to amass a collection of hundreds of thousands of copyrighted TV episodes, surpassing the combined catalogues of popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and Amazon Prime. Without any authorization, Dallmann and his co-conspirators reproduced these episodes and made millions of dollars by streaming and distributing this stolen content to tens of thousands of paid subscribers.
“The defendants conspired to operate an online streaming service that unlawfully reproduced and distributed thousands of copyrighted television programs for their own personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “This case is another example of our steadfast commitment to combat intellectual property theft and to hold accountable those who violate intellectual property rights laws.”
“The defendants ran a platform that automated the theft of TV shows and distributed the stolen content to subscribers,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “When complaints from copyright holders and problems with payment service providers threatened to topple the illicit multimillion-dollar enterprise, the defendants tried to disguise Jetflicks as an aviation entertainment company. Digital piracy is not a victimless crime. As these convictions demonstrate, the FBI will indeed investigate those who illegally profit from the creative works of others.”
Dallman, Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, and Huber were found guilty of conspiring to commit criminal copyright infringement. Dallmann was also found guilty of two counts of money laundering by concealment and three counts of misdemeanor criminal copyright infringement. Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, and Huber could face up to five years in prison each, while Dallmann could face up to 48 years. The sentencing date is yet to be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Washington Field Office led the investigation, with support from the FBI Las Vegas Field Office.
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