For Immediate Release:

SPA Notification 1/13/98

The SPA has had several "sting operation" servers (heretofore referred to as Hotline
Sites) using the Hot line Server software (page three). In accordance to the new 
laws regarding Pirated Software we have begun a more aggressive approach to curbing 
the illegal duplication and transference of copyrighted and trademarked electronic 
media.

- We have placed tracking Resources (page five) within Software, both disabled, 
functional and non-functional (page four), at our Hot line Servers in order to 
better understand how pirated software is spread. If we Download a particular piece 
of software from another Hot line Server and it contains our resource, we know that 
it was Downloaded from us at some point, and then illegally transferred to another 
Hot line Server. In fact we have had several instances where our "marked" software 
has been Downloaded from one of our server's only to be Uploaded several days later 
at another.

- We have compiled a list of those IP's who have transferred so-called "warez" and 
other illegal electronic media through our Hot line Servers. Fortunately, Hot line 
Server Software logs most of this for us. (page six, Attachment A-C)

- We have operated these Server's for several months on all major "Trackers" (page 
three). Changing the name of some often, while leaving others alone. We have greatly 
increased our knowledge of Who, Where and How Pirated Software is being transferred. 
We have utilized "Accounts" (page three) at some of our Hot line Servers to show 
Intent and Aforethought for that individual in regards to Illegal and Pirated 
Software transfer.

- Those fitting the recidivism profile (page two) will be notified. We are now in 
the process of notification of ISP Account holders, The ISP providers themselves, as 
well as Schools, Universities, etc... (page six)

- Our main concern are so-called "warez", referring to Pirated Software and Illegal 
Software (ie.. Serial Number Generators, Credit Card Number Generators, and Lists or
Compilations of Serial Numbers that qualify and function as a Software Application 
under specification 12-B), and Patching Software known as a "crack" or "hack".

- Although our jurisdiction does not fall on these Electronic Media we have notified 
the proper Organizations (page 6 attachment D) in regards to: "Mp3's" (page four) 
and other electronic recordings of Copyrighted Music, Electronic Recordings of 
Copyrighted Visual Media (ie.. television programs that consist of the entire 
copyrighted material but not limited to the "Reviewer's Portion" (page four). 
Although it is admittedly difficult for us to review each and every piece of Image, 
Quicktime, AVI and Mpeg, etc... media out there, we have been in contact with, and 
continue to maintain contact with the proper affiliations (mainly INTERPOL and the 
respective copyright holders themselves) in regard to their transference.

- We do continue and shall continue to operate Hotline Servers on all major 
Trackers. Future plans are outlined on Page Six,  Attachment E.

SPA Notification 01-B 
For Immediate Release 1/13/98
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At. A-E