14 DAY TRIAL // The Federal Bureau of Investigation is making the famous anti-piracy seal available for anyone who has copyright interest.
The well-known emblem, was created by the FBI as a support for the media and commercial industry which loses millions of dollars each year because of copyright infringement.
Some time ago, the Bureau's official website was evaluating the licensing arrangements they had with the members of the associations who've already had the rights for the graphic.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), all have access to the logo since 2006 and they can use it to protect their products against plagiarism attempts.
Now, the proposition is up for public comments until November 7, then making its way to the General Attorney's office.
The purpose of the seal is “to deter illegal practice and to increase public awareness of the penalties associated with piracy.“
“The APW Seal may not be used in a manner indicating FBI approval, authorization, or endorsement of any communication other than the authorized warning language. No other text or image that appears on the same screen, page, package, etc,” revealed the proposition.
Even though they plan on letting more people and organizations take advantage of their anti-piracy logo, until all matters are made clear, no one can legally post it yet.
However, those who wish to protect their copyrighted materials against bootlegging attempts, the Bureau allows them to use the following phrase "Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000."
No one should take the FBI warning as a joke, the unauthorized display of the FBI seal, name, and initials being subject to prosecution under Federal Criminal law.