The operator of a website that offered copies of software has pleaded guilty to one count of criminal copyright infringement, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said.Ronnie A. Knott, 36, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty Thursday before Judge T.S. Ellis III in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 23, and he faces a maximum of five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine.Knott operated a Web business called Smart PC and CDBackups that provided subscribers access to infringing copies of software from companies including Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, Microsoft and Symantec, the DoJ said. Knott operated the business from about early 2005 until the U.S. FBI shut it down in May 2006.Knott said he received about $20,000 in subscription fees. The investigation, conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, involved an undercover agent who became a subscriber to Knott’s service and was able to download more than $30,000 worth of pirated software. Further investigation found that Knott had illegally reproduced copyrighted software with a retail value of nearly $2.5 million.-Grant Gross, IDG News Service (Washington Bureau) Related Links:A Piracy Supply ChainKeep checking in at our CSO Security Feed page for updated news coverage. Related content news Chinese state actors behind espionage attacks on Southeast Asian government The distinct groups of activities formed three different clusters, each attributed to a specific APT group. By Shweta Sharma Sep 25, 2023 4 mins Advanced Persistent Threats Advanced Persistent Threats Cyberattacks feature How to pick the best endpoint detection and response solution EDR software has emerged as one of the preeminent tools in the CISO’s arsenal. Here’s what to look for and what to avoid when choosing EDR software. By Linda Rosencrance Sep 25, 2023 10 mins Intrusion Detection Software Security Monitoring Software Data and Information Security feature Top cybersecurity M&A deals for 2023 Fears of recession, rising interest rates, mass tech layoffs, and conservative spending trends are likely to make dealmakers cautious, but an ever-increasing need to defend against bigger and faster attacks will likely keep M&A activity steady in By CSO Staff Sep 22, 2023 24 mins Mergers and Acquisitions Data and Information Security IT Leadership brandpost Unmasking ransomware threat clusters: Why it matters to defenders Similar patterns of behavior among ransomware treat groups can help security teams better understand and prepare for attacks By Joan Goodchild Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Cybercrime Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe