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UK Seize Popular Music Blog, Arrest Operators and Threaten Readers

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UK Seize Popular Music Blog, Arrest Operators and Threaten Readers
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As part of a criminal investigation the UK Government has shut down the popular blog RnBXclusive which posted news, commentary and links to music. Authorities have arrested the owners of the site for allegedly defrauding the music industry. In addition, the Serious Organised Crime Agency is threatening users of RnBXclusive that they face 10 years in prison if they downloaded music through the site.

Founded in 2008, RnBXclusive.com quickly became one of the most popular R&B / hip hop blogs. With over a quarter million fans on Facebook it was the go-to destination for many music fans.

But that all changed today when the UK Government’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) took over the domain and arrested its operators.

“SOCA has taken control of this domain name. The individuals behind this website have been arrested for fraud,†reads a message on the site’s home page.

In addition to arresting the site’s operators for allegedly defrauding the music industry by posting links to copyrighted music, SOCA also warns those who used the site to download tracks.

In a rather threatening tone SOCA explains that RnBXclusive readers face up to 10 years in prison.

“The majority of music files that were available via this site were stolen from the artists. If you have downloaded music using this website you may have committed a criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine under UK law.â€


Ominous Warning Banner

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To guarantee maximum impact the warning also displays the IP-address of those who visit the site. SOCA explains that they may use this information for further investigation.

“SOCA has the capability to monitor and investigate you, and can inform your internet service provider of these infringements. You may be liable for prosecution and the fact that you have received this message does not preclude you from prosecution.â€

The above is reminiscent of a message that was displayed when the UK authorities shut down the popular BitTorrent tracker OiNK. At the time, the site’s visitors also received a warning. The OiNK case, however, turned out to be a waste of tax payer money and the site’s owner eventually walked free.

Finally, SOCA’s warning on RnBXclusive concludes with a rather tendentious claim which appears to come directly from a music industry lobby group.

“As a result of illegal downloads young, emerging artists may have had their careers damaged. If you have illegally downloaded music you will have damaged the future of the music industry.â€

The above is worrying, because it wouldn’t be the first time that UK authorities are dragged into a criminal investigation solely based on evidence provided by the entertainment industries. In fact, this was the main reason why the operators of another BitTorrent tracker – FileSoup – had their case dismissed.

In the US similar mistakes were made with the seizure of the music blog Dajaz1. More than a year after Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized the site’s domain, they finally gave it back. It turned out that the seizure was a mistake.

Mel of Dajaz1 also sees similarities between today’s actions and the seizure of their site in 2010.

“Unbelievable, apparently the UK Govt doesn’t believe in Due Process either and their claims of damaging the industry and artists is unsupported propaganda,†she told TorrentFreak. “We’re completely against the process of seizing first and asking questions later.â€

Thus far UK authorities haven’t officially responded to the RnBXclusive shutdown and arrests. We will add an update as more news becomes available.
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38 comments
I just saw this on Torrentfreak every country is doing what the US wants them to do so they will not get into a big war every other country is now the US bitch sad. MPAA & RIAA want every to believe that that are losing 500mill to 2billion a yr from piracy this is just straight BS if there is no hard proof then just STFU. If these US keeps flexing there muscles like this then a few other countries are gonna go to war with the US US can not control anything outside there borders that is what they do not care about
 
Soca XD ???

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbA1Lh3cdnE[/ame]

On a serious reply to the article:
I think it's very gay (to say the least) to track visitors IP etc. when they visit the site. I think we should DoS that rouge IP/Server. X-(
 
SOCA seriously need someone to teach them how to center align that damn message. Guess they also need to learn how to proper threat people as they forgot to inform about the high risk of getting extradited to the US. :facepalm:

The " unlimited fine " information is hilarious! :))
 
to b honest i say f the usa (i'm from usa) and their stupid laws but there is something else that bothers me. You have people saying "oh f usa" and similar comments for some of the things our government has done. Some ppl even go as far as to bad mouth Americans for the sh*t that politicians do, because it is us that votes them in.

but have you ever stopped to think that the US will go as far as other countries let them. Doesn't it bother anybody that their own country / government keeps bending over for the US and then pretend it was like all the USA government

I'm not saying the USA government isn't he biggest load of BS, but when will people start holding their own country liable for letting the US walk all over them? You know they will take it as far as other countries will allow them.

For example USA can't call up North Korea and ask them to hand over one of their citizens.. because north korea hates the united states and won't even so much as communicate with them...

either way USA sucks but other countries gotta quit just giving it to them.. don't necessarily have to be as extreme as North Korea (just an example) but you don't have to jump at their every beck and hollar.
 
“SOCA has the capability to monitor and investigate you, and can inform your internet service provider of these infringements. You may be liable for prosecution and the fact that you have received this message does not preclude you from prosecution.”
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Really SOCA? You're going to report me just cause I visited this site? And say what exactly? What a load of BS.
 
Would ye kids just shut the hell up complaining. Downloading copyright material is illegal no matter what way you look at it and every country has copyright laws not just the USA. Sure some enforce them more than others but they all have them.

Why are ye even mentioning the USA and it's influence over this? Obviously the UK has their own copyright laws and has for some time. If the site has illegal content then shit can and does happen. I'm amazed that this comes as a surprise to ye.
 
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