LOS ANGELES (February 19)- The FBI and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today unveiled a voluntary, government-sanctioned anti-piracy warning seal and warning that can be included on various types of copyrighted music. Record companies can choose to include the seal on all copyrighted music they distribute to warn the public of the illegality of copying and distributing music without permission.

"It is our hope that when consumers see the new FBI warning on the music they purchase, both physically and online, they will take the time to learn the do's and don'ts of copying and uploading to the Internet," said the RIAA's Brad Buckles, Executive Vice President, Anti-Piracy at a Los Angeles news conference unveiling the new seal. "As this seal attests, these are serious crimes with serious consequences - including federal prosecution - if the wrong choices are made about copying or uploading music without permission. Consumers need to be aware of them."

Buckles added that "illegal distribution of copyrighted music in both physical and digital form costs the music industry thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Pirates everywhere should take note of law enforcement's serious attention to this devastating problem."

"The theft of copyrighted material has grown substantially and has had a detrimental impact on the U.S. economy," said Jana Monroe, Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division. "The FBI's Cyber Division recognizes the importance of the problem and stands ready to meet the challenge. Through working partnerships with other law enforcement entities, the Department of Justice and the recording industry, we will continue to devote significant resources in pursuit of those who steal copyrighted music."

The FBI's anti-piracy seal is not mandatory for record companies, and for those that decide to include the seal, there are no placement restrictions. In the near future, consumers can expect to see the seal and the accompanying warning language in a variety of ways, including on tapes and CDs, CD packaging and accompanying digital files. Similar actions may also be taken by the motion picture and software industries, which were also represented at today's press conference.

A copy of the FBI seal and warning text is available upon request.

Contacts:
FBI National Press Office
202-324-3691