The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) is ramping up efforts against the illegal distribution of cell phone applications.  On August 21, 2012, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer, Northern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Brian Lamkin announced a first of its kind seizure of three website domain names used to engage in the unlawful distribution of copyrighted Android cellular phone apps.  All three of the domain names—applanet.net, appbucket.net and snappzmarket.com—now resolve to websites displaying a message warning that willful copyright infringement is a federal crime.

Assistant Attorney General Breuer explained:  “Software apps have become an increasingly essential part of our nation’s economy and creative culture, and the Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the creators of these apps and other forms of intellectual property from those who seek to steal it.”  Special Agent in Charge Lamkin added that this type of intellectual property theft “cost[s] companies millions of dollars and can even inhibit the development and implementation of new ideas and applications.”Continue Reading DOJ Seizes Domain Names To Prevent Theft Of Copyrighted Cell Phone Apps