DrinkOrDie Warez Trader to be Extradited to U.S.
A NSW man faces extradition to the United States on internet piracy charges after an appeal was rejected in the Federal Court today.
Hew Raymond Griffiths, 42, of Bateau Bay on the Central Coast is accused in the US of being a ringleader of internet group DrinkOrDie, which illegally cracked security codes and reproduced software, games and music worth $US50 million ($71.6 million).
He has been indicted by the US District Court on two charges under US copyright laws.
The full bench of the Federal Court today rejected Griffith's eight grounds for appeal against extradition.
"If there is apparent novelty in this appeal it lies in the nature of the extradition offences the appellant is alleged to have committed and for which his surrender is sought by the United States of America when, at all relevant times, he was residing in Australia," the judgement said.
Griffiths, who is unemployed and lives with his parents, was ordered to pay costs.
