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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Users warned as RnBXclusive.com shut down by police | Users warned as RnBXclusive.com shut down by police |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Music site RnBXclusive.com has been shut down by the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca). | Music site RnBXclusive.com has been shut down by the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca). |
| A takedown notice warned visitors who have used the site to download music they could face up to 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. | A takedown notice warned visitors who have used the site to download music they could face up to 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. |
| Soca said music posted on the site was "stolen from the artists" and may have "damaged careers". | Soca said music posted on the site was "stolen from the artists" and may have "damaged careers". |
| A man has been arrested for fraud and bailed pending further enquiries, police told the BBC. | A man has been arrested for fraud and bailed pending further enquiries, police told the BBC. |
| "Soca targets organised criminal enterprises profiting from the exploitation of the UK public and legitimate businesses," the agency said in a statement. | "Soca targets organised criminal enterprises profiting from the exploitation of the UK public and legitimate businesses," the agency said in a statement. |
| "Much of the music offered for download by the RnBXclusive.com website was illegally obtained from artists, leading the industry to attribute losses of approximately £15m per year to the site's activity." | "Much of the music offered for download by the RnBXclusive.com website was illegally obtained from artists, leading the industry to attribute losses of approximately £15m per year to the site's activity." |
| Soca added that the action was part of a wider operation combating illegal uploading of copyrighted material online, with several sites being targeted using "varied techniques". | Soca added that the action was part of a wider operation combating illegal uploading of copyrighted material online, with several sites being targeted using "varied techniques". |
| Some industry observers believe the action is a fresh sign that British authorities are stepping up efforts to stamp out online piracy. | Some industry observers believe the action is a fresh sign that British authorities are stepping up efforts to stamp out online piracy. |
| However, Loz Kaye, leader of the Pirate Party UK, said he disagreed with the nature of the closure. | However, Loz Kaye, leader of the Pirate Party UK, said he disagreed with the nature of the closure. |
| "The explicit threat to visitors of the site and take down notice is alarming. | "The explicit threat to visitors of the site and take down notice is alarming. |
| "The claim that the information gathered can be used to identify visitors and their location, followed by a statement that Soca has the capability to monitor, investigate and inform visitors internet service providers of apparent 'infringements', making visitors liable for prosecution seems extreme and unduly threatening." | "The claim that the information gathered can be used to identify visitors and their location, followed by a statement that Soca has the capability to monitor, investigate and inform visitors internet service providers of apparent 'infringements', making visitors liable for prosecution seems extreme and unduly threatening." |
| RnBXclusive.com also ran Twitter and Facebook accounts which remain accessible - although links posted on both services are now inactive as a result of the main site's takedown. | |
| 'Monitor and investigate' | 'Monitor and investigate' |
| On Facebook, fans of the website reacted angrily to the closure. | On Facebook, fans of the website reacted angrily to the closure. |
| "Screw Soca!" one user wrote. Another added: "Am I the only one scared of this 10 year jail and fine?" | "Screw Soca!" one user wrote. Another added: "Am I the only one scared of this 10 year jail and fine?" |
| Police told the BBC they would not comment on whether any of the site's users were currently being pursued. | Police told the BBC they would not comment on whether any of the site's users were currently being pursued. |
| The website, which is registered to an address in Leicester, was unreachable on Wednesday. | The website, which is registered to an address in Leicester, was unreachable on Wednesday. |
| The Soca message, which is now displayed to all visitors of RnBXclusive, displays the user's internet protocol (IP) address, which can be used to identify people online. | The Soca message, which is now displayed to all visitors of RnBXclusive, displays the user's internet protocol (IP) address, which can be used to identify people online. |
| The notice warns that Soca has "the capability to monitor and investigate you". | The notice warns that Soca has "the capability to monitor and investigate you". |
| "Members of the public can become facilitators of organised crime by obtaining property or services from its perpetrators," a Soca spokesman said. | "Members of the public can become facilitators of organised crime by obtaining property or services from its perpetrators," a Soca spokesman said. |
| "Soca is committed to raising awareness of this threat, its potential consequences, and the steps people can take to avoid involvement." | "Soca is committed to raising awareness of this threat, its potential consequences, and the steps people can take to avoid involvement." |
| Last month, officials shut down MegaUpload - one of the world's biggest file-sharing sites. Its owner, Kim Dotcom is being held in New Zealand having been denied bail. | Last month, officials shut down MegaUpload - one of the world's biggest file-sharing sites. Its owner, Kim Dotcom is being held in New Zealand having been denied bail. |