p2p news / p2pnet:- The relentless persecution of former DrinkorDie member Hew Raymond Griffiths by American software and entertainment interests continues unabated.

The cartels, which apparently ‘persuaded’ an ex-DoD member to rat his ex-friends out, have already succeeded in destroying the group’s Alex Bell, Steven Dowd, Mark Vent and Andrew Eardley.

James Cudney, aka (bcr8tive) was accused of ‘masquerading’ as other crackers before being recruited by the American authorities, says a p2pnet comment post. A lawyer representing Dowd asked Cudney, “Was it part of your scheme to bring people in order to present an attractive package to the authorities?”

Through the FBI, the cartels have been pulling out all the stops in their efforts to have Griffiths extradited from Australia so he can face their unimpeded wrath. And in the latest news, the Oz high court has dismissed his application for special leave to appeal an earlier decision by the full bench of the Federal Court, which found him eligible to face extradition.

“US authorities alleged that an internet gang known as ‘Drink or Die’ was responsible for pirating software valued at $50 million and Mr Griffiths was a member and later leader of the group,” says Australian IT. “The Magistrates court found Mr Griffiths ineligible for extradition in March 2004. But the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the decision in the Federal Court on the US government’s behalf.

“The Federal Court overturned the Magistrate’s decision in July 2004. Mr Griffiths appealed to the full bench in March this year but the court upheld the decision.”

But as Black Sheep Research’s Martin Brampton points out, one of the many interesting features of the case is that it didn’t involve computer-specific legislation. Instead, “The men were charged with the long-established offence of conspiracy to defraud. If successful prosecutions can be brought under older legislation, one wonders why so much fuss has been made about the alleged need for new specialist laws.”

If there’s something you think we should know, tips[at]p2pnet.net

See:-
destroying - UK DoD members convicted, March 17, 2005
extradited from Australia - DrinkorDie extradition: II, March 14, 2005
Australian IT - US closer to piracy case extradition, September 2, 2005
points out - www.drinkordie.com, May 11, 2005

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