Three Las Vegas Valley residents, Michael L. Young, Kelly J. Ryan, and Kristin M. Trueman, have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for their involvement in DVD piracy. The charges include criminal conspiracy to commit willful infringement of copyright and willful infringement of copyright. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count.
The conspiracy aimed to make money unlawfully by producing and selling copies of copyrighted movies without authorization. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) did not grant permission for the duplication or distribution of these movies. The defendants allegedly sold illegal DVD copies of recent films at the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet in Las Vegas, claiming some were recorded in theaters and converted to DVD format by skilled individuals.
Kelly J. Ryan was accused of copying movies onto DVDs without authorization and selling them at the Swap Meet. Michael L. Young sold around 40 illegally-copied DVDs to an undercover investigator, presenting himself as affiliated with "Starlite Records" at the Swap Meet. The DVDs, including popular titles like "Spiderman 2" and "Fahrenheit 9/11", were of poor quality and lacked proper trademarks and copyright information.
The government needs to prove that the defendants distributed at least 10 copies of copyrighted works worth over $2,500 within a 180-day period to secure a conviction. The accused were arrested in July 2004 and are awaiting trial after being released on bond. Their arraignment and plea are scheduled for August 20, 2004.
The investigation involves the FBI and the Motion Picture Association of America, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy J. Koppe. It is crucial to note that an indictment only implies charges and not guilt. The defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a fair trial.