Arrests Made in HL2 Code Theft Case

[Morfiend]

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/522542p1.html

Valve issued the following statement:

Arrests have been made in several countries related to the break-in to Valve's network, theft of the Half-Life 2 source code, and release of the source code on the Internet.
"Within a few days of the announcement of the break-in, the online gaming community had tracked down those involved," said Gabe Newell, Valve's CEO. "It was extraordinary to watch how quickly and how cleverly gamers were able to unravel what are traditionally unsolvable problems for law enforcement related to this kind of cyber-crime."
Thousands of tips were received related to the criminal activities, with a core group of people who were able to analyze and backtrack from these clues. Subsequent to these individuals being identified, Valve has been working with various national authorities to prepare cases against those involved, leading to these arrests.
"It was very uplifting to see how the community rallied and tracked these people down. Everyone here at Valve is once again reminded of how much we owe to the gaming community," added Mr. Newell.

Another interesting story from Gamespy. These guys seem to be doing more than just posting bad game reviews these days.

Maybe with some arrests, we will actually see HL2 this year.... Yeah... right.

[geldonyetich]

If this is to be believed, true game enthusiasts are saying, "Don't screw with the real games, pirate scum."

As for Half-Life 2 being released, the ETA has never really changed.   It's always been: When it's done.

(Well okay, having the source code leaked means they needed to plug several potential exploits prior to release.)

[Rodent]

I don't belive the leak/theft do be a very large reason for the delay, more then likely the game simply wasn't ready for release and Valve used it as a convenient excuse.

If Stalker and Doom III comes out before it I forsee even further delays.

[Alrindel]

In other news, my friends who were raided by the FBI and the Secret Service back in January had nothing to do with it, and they still can't find out why they were suspected in the first place because the relevant affadavits are sealed.

[Alluvian]

Well, they didn't necessarily have to suspect them of the crime would they?  Maybe they had reason to believe that your friend knew one of the suspects.  The online world has such odd connections that it would be hard to tell.  It is even possible that one of the suspects had links to your friend while your friend had no links to him.  Maybe your friends email address was found on one of the suspects computers because they were both cc'ed on some email, who knows.  I really don't know how much evidence is required in these internet crimes to get a warrant.  Probably depends on how computer literate the judge in question was.

[Sky]

I really don't know how much evidence is required in these internet crimes to get a warrant.

None if you call it a terrorist act.

[Alluvian]

I really don't know how much evidence is required in these internet crimes to get a warrant.

None if you call it a terrorist act.

Not true and you know it.  Don't bring politics into this forum. PLEASE.

[Alrindel]

Well, they didn't necessarily have to suspect them of the crime would they?

Uh, yes, they necessarily did.  An application for a search warrant has to contain "a sworn affidavit establishing probable cause to believe that contraband, evidence, fruits, or instrumentalities of crime exist in the location to be searched."  The wording of the warrant itself states: "I am satisfied that the affidavit(s) and any record testimony establish probable cause to believe that the person or property so described is now concealed on the person or premises above-described and establish grounds for the issuance of this warrant".

In other words, the FBI submitted documents to a magistrate explaining what evidence they had that caused them to believe my friends were guilty.  Since my friends are not in fact guilty, they'd really like to see those documents.

I really don't know how much evidence is required in these internet crimes to get a warrant.  Probably depends on how computer literate the judge in question was.

Here you go.  It has nothing to do with computer literacy, it's just how law enforcement works.  The judge doesn't care if it's source code or truckloads of bananas that have been stolen, his job is to just make sure that the police have some sort of viable evidence and have done a preliminary investigation before they start kicking down doors.

[HaemishM]

In other news, my friends who were raided by the FBI and the Secret Service back in January had nothing to do with it, and they still can't find out why they were suspected in the first place because the relevant affadavits are sealed.

Welcome to the Homeland Security Department in the age of the Patriot Act and the DMCA.

Personally, IF they can prove those arrested are behind the theft, fry the motherfuckers. Warezing shit is one thing; outright theft of an alpha product is plain fucking wrong.

[Alluvian]

Well, they didn't necessarily have to suspect them of the crime would they?

Uh, yes, they necessarily did.  An application for a search warrant has to contain "a sworn affidavit establishing probable cause to believe that contraband, evidence, fruits, or instrumentalities of crime exist in the location to be searched."  The wording of the warrant itself states: "I am satisfied that the affidavit(s) and any record testimony establish probable cause to believe that the person or property so described is now concealed on the person or premises above-described and establish grounds for the issuance of this warrant".

In other words, the FBI submitted documents to a magistrate explaining what evidence they had that caused them to believe my friends were guilty.  Since my friends are not in fact guilty, they'd really like to see those documents.

That is not how I read that at all.  They don't have to be guilty, they just have to be thought to be in possession of evidence.  That is entirely different than being guilty.

And this does not have anything to do with the homeland security act.  Sheesh.