US videogame retailer jailed for piracy

A Maryland-based retailer who sold illegally modified Xbox consoles pre-loaded with pirate games has been sentenced to 5 months in prison and fined almost USD 250,000.

Biren Amin, owner of Pandora's Cube, will also serve five months home confinement, 80 hours of community service and will be subject to three years of supervised release once he is released from prison.

ESA president Douglas referred to the severity of the sentencing as "a clarion warning for others contemplating computer and video game piracy. In an ESA statement, Lowenstein, who is currently embroiled in a battle to overturn the controversial violent videogames bill in several US states, added, "Sentences of this magnitude send a clear message to game retailers that selling pirate products has serious consequences, including prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

Amin, who sold 'Super Xboxes' which contained a chip to bypass copyright and security measures and a larger hard drive pre-installed with pirated videogames, is the fourth person associated with Pandora's Cube to be convicted and sentenced for videogame piracy.

Store manager Hitesh Patel was sentenced to four months in prison, four months house arrest, and two years of probation last month. In addition, senior retail manager Herbie Walker was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, sixth months of house arrest and two years of probation. Another store manager, Mguresh Amin, was sentenced to 150 hours of community service, six months house arrest and two years of probation.