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| Nintendo Gamecube criminal convicted A Staffordshire shop owner has been ordered to serve 240 hours community service and pay ?3, 310 in court costs, following his conviction for video game piracy. Stuart Eardley (38) of Elizabeth Drive, Chesterton in Newcastle-under-Lyme was sentenced by the Honourable Judge Orrell at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 13th February. He was targeted as part of a joint operation by ELSPA, Staffordshire Trading Standards and the local Police back in 2005 for manufacturing and selling pirate games. His shop, 'Media Weeble', and his home address were searched by officers revealing 220 copied Nintendo GameCube discs, along with a number of pirate PS2, Xbox and PC discs. It was the first time ever that ELSPA had seized pirate Nintendo GameCube discs. Michael Rawlinson, deputy director general of ELSPA stated: "This case highlights the very real threat of criminal prosecution and a criminal record to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal copying of computer and video games. ELSPA thanks all those involved for the successful resolution of this investigation." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Game News :: home page |