<http://www.wstm.com/global/story.asp?s=2831591&ClientType=Printable> <<Back Two men plead guilty in online file-sharing case LOS ANGELES A Johnson City man is one of two defendants to plead guilty in Los Angeles to federal charges over the online file-sharing of music, movies and software over peer-to-peer networks. The U-S Justice Department says William Trowbridge of Johnson City and Michael Chicoine of San Antonio each pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to commit felony copyright infringement. Officials say the two are the first people convicted for online file-sharing. The two men were targeted as part of an investigation which focused on online piracy over peer-to-peer, or P-2-P, networks. Such networks enable computer users to access files directly from the computers of other users on the network. The 50-year-old Trowbridge and 47-year-old Chicoine also pleaded guilty to acting for commercial advantage or private financial gain. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine. They could also be ordered to pay restitution to victims when they are sentenced in April. -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'