Authorities shut down online network in crackdown on Internet piracy

WASHINGTON (AP) _ ``The Force'' was not with them. <br/><br/>Federal authorities have shut down the Elite Torrents network -- an online file-sharing network that had the new Stars War movie before

Thursday, May 26th 2005, 9:40 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ ``The Force'' was not with them.

Federal authorities have shut down the Elite Torrents network -- an online file-sharing network that had the new Stars War movie before it was shown in theaters.

Authorities accuse the site of engaging in high-tech piracy.

Authorities say the network had more than 133-thousand members and movie titles that included ``Star Wars Episode Three -- Revenge of the Sith'' among its library of nearly 18-thousand movies.

Authorities served search warrants in ten communities _ including Anthem, north of Phoenix. The targets were computer users accused of being the first to offer copyright materials to other BitTorrent users on the Web site.