We've noticed several navies in the Pacific have been unusually active as of late, on exercises and joint patrols, but it's not due to a new international crisis. Rather, the return of an old scourge with murderous vengeance, piracy on the high seas.

We usually think of piracy as part of a romantic age of sail; sudden clashes at sea, battles for treasure on a distant main, along the old sea routes of Africa and Asia. But piracy, which never really vanished, is now back, more dangerous than ever, along many of the same trade routes. High speed boarding parties are attacking ships carrying valuable cargos, including consumers goods and even fuel. It's so dangerous, Japan warns piracy could soon have, "...a major impact on the social stability and economic prosperity of the Pacific region."

We've checked with the International Maritime Bureau based in Malaysia which tracks attacks at sea. Here are the latest warnings. In just three years, more than a thousand acts of piracy have been reported. So far this year, around 350 ships and large boats have been attacked. The largest number ever recorded, and up 27 percent over the same period last year. The most dangerous areas; southeast Asia and the Indian ocean; 140 attacks. Indonesian waters alone saw 64 boardings. The east and west coasts of Africa are also a danger zone. Ships are now warned to stay at least 150 kilometres off Somalia where warlords have taken to piracy. Cost estimates range up to 16 billion dollars in cargo stolen over a decade.

Complete Story

haha i had no idea it was that widespread. There is already 27 cases this year? Wow.

I believe compmore pointed this out to me as well. Piracy is indeed a serious crime, and those who have lost loved ones to these criminals, where people get lost in the ocean with no body to bury, will identify with this statement. To call copyright infringement "piracy" is to dilute the real piracy problem, and does a disservice to all survivors and victims of this horrible crime.

Thanks for a great article George (as usual).
~Code

No I didn't on this one Code. but you're right. Thanks for the plug though

Well, folks, there you go. When the RIAA says that "piracy has increased", they are telling the truth.

lol i got there "piracy"

see the pic on the yahoo group lol

"To call copyright infringement "piracy" is to dilute the real piracy problem, and does a disservice to all survivors and victims of this horrible crime."

Yup. Using the word piracy gives copyright violations a more negitive sound so more people will react the way they want. In a way the Music Biz has highjacked the word for their own agenda. They stole piracy thus making them some of the only real pirates in the digital waters.

During the 3 years I lived in American Samoa, they were 10 cases of piracy reported in and near that part of the Pacific, and numerous others that weren't officially reported. From small sailing boats to a small tanker ship. It happens all the time. And you never hear about the smaller crafts that get boarded and all crew thrown overboard for their boat and supplies.

Pirates near American Samoa in the past few years?! So .... which P2P app were they using?

This is good. Someone should e-mail this to Forina, Cary, and Orrin.
It is a serious problem!!!
Maybe Orrin can send the Navy to help.

I am still concerned about this! Maybe we should rename this site Boycott-Riaa and Citizens concerned about Piracy.

Check out the piracy section on the website: www.cargolaw.com

It's a worldwide problem.

I just realized that the link is pretty hard to find on the Cargo Law site. That page is loaded pretty heavily with stuff. Try this:

http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/imb_piracy/weekly_piracy_report.asp

"Maybe Orrin can send the Navy to help"

Nahh he should just bring out a bill to allow them to remotely destroy the pirates' computers....errr boats.

The Utah Navy?

Aaaarrr, 'tis a shameful way to make a livin' fer sure and ye can bet the dogs will not be respectin' copyrights either.