Tue 8 May 2007 - Is Griffiths the new Hicks?
David Hicks may be coming home, but Hew Griffiths has been extradited to the USA on charges of copyright infringement. He allegedly cracked software and distributed it for free — with the US-based copyright holders claiming it cost them A$60 million in lost revenue.
In 2003, the US Department of Justice charged Griffiths with violating the copyright laws of the US, and requested his extradition from Australia. Senator Ellison signed a notice for Griffiths’ arrest and Australian Federal Police arrested him at his home.
And after exhausting every avenue of appeal, Ellison had the final say, and handed Griffiths over to the US.
Zowee. So now you can be extradited to a foreign country on the basis of an alleged copyright crime that took place at home? Yikes. As Jeremy points out, does this mean China can apply for extradition of Australian democracy activists?
Update lunchtime. See also: Josh on Geekrant: Disproportionate Response? Slashdot: Australian Extradited For Breaking US Law At Home