Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FBI arrests Russian student accused of stealing secret DirecTV documents
Associated Press

Posted on 01/02/2003 10:56:28 AM PST by RCW2001

TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, January 2, 2003
©2003 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/01/02/financial1347EST0135.DTL

(01-02) 10:47 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

The FBI arrested a Russian college student Thursday who was accused of stealing and distributing hundreds of secret documents about new anti-piracy technology from DirecTV Inc., the nation's leading satellite television company.

The student, identified as Igor Serebryany, 19, of Los Angeles, was accused of sending over the Internet hundreds of sensitive documents describing details about DirecTV's latest "access card" technology -- credit-card devices controlling which of the company's 11 million U.S. subscribers can view particular channels.

Investigators said the documents were sent to operators of at least three underground Web sites that specialize in hacking these devices to permit subscribers to watch programming they never paid for.

Other Web sites also described details from the documents, but it was unclear whether they actually received copies, investigators said.

Investigators do not think he sought any money in exchange for the disclosures.

The documents included details about DirecTV's latest "P4" card technology, which hackers have so far been unable to crack. A lawyer for DirecTV, Marc Zwillinger, said the papers included details about the design and architecture of the new cards but did not reveal instructions for hacking them.

"Certainly anyone with this information would have an advantage," Zwillinger said.

Serebryany obtained the documents while working part-time at a law firm in California that performed legal work for DirecTV. Serebryany attends college in Chicago but his family lives in Los Angeles.

Serebryany was charged under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, a law so powerful that until March 2002 only the most senior Justice Department officials in Washington could authorize prosecutors to wield it. Only about 35 criminal cases have been filed under the law.

It prohibits anyone from disclosing trade secrets for economic benefit, and carries penalties in this case up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Although investigators acknowledge that Serebryany apparently didn't profit from the disclosures, the law bars giving away secrets for anyone else's economic benefit.

©2003 Associated Press  


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

1 posted on 01/02/2003 10:56:28 AM PST by RCW2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: RCW2001
1. NO more student visas!!!

2. If we MUST have these stupid things, then NO MORE students from Muslim countries, korea, china and... RUSSIA!!!

2 posted on 01/02/2003 11:02:39 AM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
Huh? Where does it say that he is on a student visa?
3 posted on 01/02/2003 11:30:34 AM PST by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RCW2001
Dis sound vey series.
4 posted on 01/02/2003 11:31:25 AM PST by CholeraJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RCW2001
Famous Russian web sites:

1. Reverse Engineering.com

2. Why Americans make their airplanes look like ours.com

3. How to buy an American.com

4. Why work? Just wait until America makes it.com

5. If it exists, tell the world we did it first.com

5 posted on 01/02/2003 11:37:37 AM PST by bmwcyle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
He is Russian, not American. How did he get here? I assumed he got here on a student visa, like hundreds of thousands of other terrorists/hijackers/operatives/nuke techs/America haters. Regardless, he is not a citizen--he is from a country notorious for hacking, theft, and criminal activity. Why should we allow them to come here and learn how to do it better?
6 posted on 01/02/2003 11:44:55 AM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball; wildandcrazyrussian; spetznaz; MarMema; FormerLib
he is from a country notorious for hacking, theft, and criminal activity

Slamming the US again, are you? As for Russians, got news for you, Russians are doing a lot of the programming that allow you to use a damn good bit of the technology that you have. A Russian was the father of the US nuclear submarine fleet and a russian invented the boob tube you probably watch quite a bit of, while another slav, a Serb invented the Tesla coil (guess what his name was) that now allows you to use the damned computer you slam us with...so what I'm saying is...go bugger yourself.

7 posted on 01/02/2003 12:06:55 PM PST by Stavka2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
How did he get here? I assumed he got here on a student visa...

The article clearly states that he is from Los Angeles (where his family resides), but attends a university in Chicago. Maybe you should re read the article?

Regardless, he is not a citizen--he is from a country notorious for hacking, theft, and criminal activity.

He is not? What am I missing here? Where in the article does it say that he is not a citizen?

8 posted on 01/02/2003 12:09:08 PM PST by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
Now if this had been a member of a protected minority group, would they have put his nationality/ethnicity as the head line? Think not!
9 posted on 01/02/2003 12:24:44 PM PST by Stavka2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
They called him a Russian. Why would they specify his nationality if he is a legal citizen?
10 posted on 01/02/2003 12:53:05 PM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Stavka2
Ah. It's good to see the old Russian attitude is still alive and well.
11 posted on 01/02/2003 12:55:57 PM PST by Glenn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
I think he and his family in Los Angeles should be deported.
12 posted on 01/02/2003 1:17:45 PM PST by I_Love_My_Husband
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: I_Love_My_Husband
Apparently he has crossed the Rubicon when it comes to white collar crime. I hope he goes away for a long time.
13 posted on 01/02/2003 1:24:29 PM PST by happygrl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Stavka2
Slamming the US again, are you?

No, I'm talking about Russia...

Why are you trying to start a pissing contest of Russian vs. American Inventions? If you really want to "go there"...Mention something Russians invented in the last, hmmm...50 years besides the suitcase nuke, and I'll shake your hand. And if you really want to "go there" why are the Russians and Chinese pirating/hacking US industries, and not the other way around? But Like I said, arguing about inventions wasn't my intent when I originally posted. Please, per-ee-staan haameetca!!!

And running to your friends in hopes that they, too will give me their two cents (or rubles)is the act of a SOOKA! I wasn't trying to hurt anyone's feelings...I wasn't trying to offend anyone (God forbid!)...I wasn't trying to slam Russians! I Like Russians! I was merely mentioning the Russian (as well as Chinese) hacking/piracy problem we face. Is that OK? Do you deny this exists? Should we just let it happen, and not mention it because you will act like a sraka and get all upset? I didn't mean ALL Russians were criminals by my statements! Give me some credit! But there IS a reputation about SOME that ruin it for the rest!!! But dont take MY word for it! Here are a few sayings about Russians from other countries!!! Enjoy!!!

The devil you can ban with the cross, but a Russian you can never get rid of.--Ukrainian saying

How can you tell a Russian? Go to sleep and he will rob you.--Ukrainian saying

If a Russian is in the hills, count your olives.--Greek saying

Better the devil in your house than a Russian.--Ukrainian saying

The Russian looks like a crow, but he is slyer than the devil.--Ukrainian saying

If a Russian tells you its dry, put your collar up.--Ukrainian saying

The tartar sells his own father.--Osmanli saying

How can we know a Russian? Go to sleep, and he will rob you.--Ukrainian saying

14 posted on 01/02/2003 1:30:33 PM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Stavka2
Now if this had been a member of a protected minority group, would they have put his nationality/ethnicity as the head line? Think not!

My point exactly. I live in New York, I have never seen a "NYPD arrests a Puerto Rican accussed of rape".

15 posted on 01/02/2003 1:32:46 PM PST by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
They called him a Russian. Why would they specify his nationality if he is a legal citizen?

That's the question for Associated Press. Besides, "Russian" is not just a nationality - it's also an ethnicity.

16 posted on 01/02/2003 1:34:00 PM PST by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Stavka2
Now if this had been a member of a protected minority group, would they have put his nationality/ethnicity as the head line? Think not!

NOW you make sense, my little bubushka! I was going to say that: imagine if the media reported race/ethnicity of say, carjackers? Jesse and Fat Albert would be going nuts, right?

17 posted on 01/02/2003 1:35:28 PM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
I wasn't trying to slam Russians! I Like Russians!

Doesn't look like above is true, judging by your posts. I wonder what saying Ukranians have for liars.

18 posted on 01/02/2003 1:39:55 PM PST by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
That's the question for Associated Press

Then you ask it then. I wasted enough time on this thread!If he's legal and they mentioned his origins, then they are losers.

It's time for BOB GRANT on 710AM anyway. He's on from 5-7. Listen to him. You will enjoy it. usjogo najkrash'jgo!!!

19 posted on 01/02/2003 1:44:59 PM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
I wonder what saying Ukranians have for liars. You tell me. Your home page says you are Ukrainian. Unless you are lying!
20 posted on 01/02/2003 1:47:42 PM PST by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson