Decade-Old BitTorrent Offenses Land Pirate a 5-Year Prison Sentence in Greece

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A 59-year-old individual in Greece has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined €10,000 for operating a private torrent site, P2Planet.net. The curious part? The site reportedly shut down over a decade ago.

Greek Authorities Crack Down on Piracy

This sentencing follows a series of actions by Greek authorities aimed at deterring online piracy, including recent arrests related to illegal IPTV services. The goal is clear: punish offenders and send a strong message to others involved in similar activities.

A Harsh Sentence Sets a Precedent

The Piraeus criminal court’s decision to impose an immediate prison sentence reportedly shocked attendees. The defendant was immediately taken into custody. In addition to the five-year sentence and €10,000 fine, he also faces €1,800 in court costs.

While BitTorrent-related criminal prosecutions are rare in Greece, this case, reported as a first by local media, highlights the country’s increasing intolerance for piracy.

P2Planet’s Rise and Fall

P2Planet, launched in early 2011, faced challenges including DDoS attacks and hacking. The site’s database was eventually leaked online. Despite these issues, it managed to attract 44,300 users and host 14,000 torrents before its closure was announced in 2014.

Police investigations led to the arrest of the alleged operator in June 2014, with a hard drive seized for forensic examination. The domain has since remained largely inactive.

A Decade-Long Wait for Justice

The significant delay between arrest and sentencing raises questions, particularly when compared to other piracy cases in Greece that have been resolved more quickly. While the severity of the punishment aims to deter future offenses, the passage of time may diminish its impact.

The case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of online piracy, even for offenses committed years ago. It also underscores the Greek authorities’ commitment to combating copyright infringement.

Tags: Greece, BitTorrent, Piracy, P2Planet.net, Lawsuit

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