Firstrowsports among 16 domains seized in government crackdown on illegal streams

Don't drop the SOPA.

In case you thought the "Anonymous" hackers were the only ones taking control of websites, the United States Government has flexed its muscle in a recent crackdown on illegal video streams among popular websites such as firstrowsports.tv.

Yahoo! News has the report:

Three days before Super Bowl XLVI, U.S. prosecutors said they seized 16 websites that illegally streamed live sports and pay-per-view events over the Internet, and charged a Michigan man with running nine of those websites.

The defendant charged in the case is Yonjo Quiroa, 28, who faces one count of criminal infringement of a copyright.

Prosecutors said Quiroa, also known as Ronaldo Solano, operated his websites from his home in Comstock Park, Michigan, prior to his Wednesday arrest, receiving at least $13,000 from online merchants who advertised with him.

Online piracy has been a hot button issue in recent weeks thanks to the anti-piracy bill SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), which caused a public outcry for digital freedom and prompted a few well-documented attacks from vengeful hackers.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was a staunch supporter of SOPA, and recently sent a letter to Congress outlining the damage illegal video streams have inflicted on Zuffa's bottom line.

As a result, hackers took control of the UFC.com website on two separate occasions and released personal information on promotion president Dana White, which later turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

The feds have shut down one of the more popular destinations for illegal feeds. Outside of inconveniencing a few chiselers who don't want to pay for the UFC 143: "Diaz vs. Condit" pay-per-view event this weekend, does anyone have a problem with this latest development?

Why or why not?