Thank you, Attorney General Gonzalez.

My name is Lou Reigel and I am the Assistant Director of the Cyber Division in the FBI.

This case is the culmination of three, detailed, and thorough investigations which targeted the Warez scene of intellectual property. Similar to the enforcement action announced last year in Operation Fastlink, today’s announcement is another sign of the FBI’s unwavering commitment in pursuing these individuals and organizations that break the law by illegally distributing pirated materials.

The theft of this property strikes at the heart of America's economy - where people are rewarded for their hard work by being able to earn a living. This theft deprives many Americans, and other workers around the globe, their right to be paid for their labor, and to enjoy the value of their hard work.

I would first like to thank the members of private industry, the Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), and the Business Software Alliance (BSA), who participated in this case. Their assistance and contribution are vital to the FBI's mission of protecting this country's intellectual property.

I would also like to publicly thank our international law enforcement partners in over 11 countries located around the globe. Director Mueller has made cooperation and the sharing of information a top priority of the FBI - both here and around the world.

Every day, the FBI depends on our international counterparts to help accomplish our mission. To all the countries who participated in this case, thanks for a job well done.