webmaster raided?

[deepbluemew]

i heard from bulbanews that the site webmaster got raided?

[L'Viaquez]

Apparently. I'm not sure it's too true, it kind of sounds like a joke. o_o

Original article: Link~ (http://www.ppnstudio.com/node/68)

I just tried going to PPN and it's not loading, which is what this next article states:

Link~ (http://www.ppnstudio.com/node/69)

So it might be true, but it kind of sounds like a load of bull. >>; Then again, I know nothing about running a Pokemon Fan Site. xD

[saul]

Hadn't PUSA teamed up with PPN in the past, providing prizes for different contests? I could be wrong, but I'm not sure -.O;; But if they did - why suddenly turn on Steve? O.o;;

It's a bit too early (and late) for an April Fools Joke though...

[mewthree w/armor]

Ummmmm. I think allot of the facts are not in stone yet, so I think all judgment should be held up. A wait and see attitude would be a good idea right now, until we here from PPN himself.

It has been awhile since Nintendo has done this, the last event I can remember is the UPNetwork in 2000, and they under free use put there material back up. They had video clips and epi pictures, similar to PPN.

[Lightning]

Ummmmm. I think allot of the facts are not in stone yet, so I think all judgment should be held up. A wait and see attitude would be a good idea right now, until we here from PPN himself.

It has been awhile since Nintendo has done this, the last event I can remember is the UPNetwork in 2000, and they under free use put there material back up. They had video clips and epi pictures, similar to PPN.
Unless she somehow got copies before their release date, Cas from (the former) PikaSurf was sponsored by Nintendo for Pokémon Channel. She got a pre-release copy to play through and review and a second copy to give away on her site.

[saul]

The thing different here though, is that they raided his house - dunno if they confiscated everything back when that happened to UPN... =P

But, we do "apparently" have a source from Steve. This is supposedly relayed through him:
http://www.ppnstudio.com/node/68

For people who have been wondering where PPN's main site went to (and him as well), the answer is quite simple. The U.S Government has raided his home and seized all of his possessions (his computers, posters, Nintendo DS, Post-it Notes, Cable Modem, etc.). The stated reason is Copyright Infringement. I can tell you for a fact that I don't see anything wrong with PPN's site. It's a legitimate news site that doesn't host illegal content. That being said, Pokémon USA has no jurisdiction to make such a seizure. Therefore, all of PPNSteve's belongings are the property of the U.S Government for 90 days. He told me to urge all of you to write and e-mail to Pokémon USA and save our fan sites. Many of our sites are just as legitimate as his, and this has certainly caused an urgency in the Pokémon online community. You can email Pokémon USA at feedback@pokemon-usa.com or write to them at



Corporate Offices - Pokémon USA

1177 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

and complain about their foolish actions. He also suggests that we should get our politicians involved in this situation, so if you can, contact your local Congressman/woman and demand Pokémon USA give us answers to this unnecessary act of justice. We can help save our fan sites; write or email PUSA today.


And if you look at the bottom of pokemonpalace.com it says:

If you are wondering why your favorite Pokemon fan-site is missing, Pokemon USA, Inc. decided PPN was either a threat to them (which I find funny since we have had a working, although non-official, relationship with them and their reps, as well as have sold well over 1000 Poke related products for them) or is finally cracking down on fan-sites, we don't know which as they REFUSE to give us any reason for wanting us to remove PPN's content.
Don't like it? EMAIL Pokemon USA, write letters complaining to: Corporate Offices - Pokémon USA - 1177 Avenue of the Americas - New York, NY 10036 and etc. Tell them your thoughts to help save fan-sites like PPN.

[Revolution]

Couple things tho to this incident. If they took his servers and modems then how is PPN Studio still running? He hosts his own site. As of what i heard.

[Koroku]

Wow o_o;; Weird... I'd hate to be Steve right now.

His HDD would not be good in the hands of the government...

[bgt]

Well, to all the people who don't know Steve on a very good basis or just know him barely, I can guarantee to a 95% certainty it wasn't over copyright. I'd rather not delve into the details or sources, but its not copyright to say the least.

I can almost guarantee I do know why hes gone to a 90% certainty, but it would be wrong on my part to leak it.

[FauxCivility]

I'm going to make a guess as to what it was in my head.

The government would NOT step in like this for copyright infringement. PUSA would have to send a letter saying that stuff needed to be taken down. That is the law. IF he didn't comply, it would go to COURT. The government would NOT raid his house for it. Not even the evil RIAA does that (yet).

So no, it's not about his actual site in my estimation.

[Revolution]

Well I got banned once for saying things about what he has done, and some people no what im talking about. I'm not gonna post any links to it since i dont want to get in trouble. But for the people who know, could that be the answear?

[bgt]

"That" has already been removed since its past the probation period. So, it wouldn't matter if you posted it or not. And if I had to guess, yes, it has something to do with that.

Furthermore, I'm positive someone contacted PUSA and/or the jurisdiction, so, it's not just a coincidence "this" happened two months afterwards, if you know what I mean.

They could be fishing off a rumor or actually have some evidence. Although I highly doubt they would raid off a rumor.

[Bishopk]

I'm not sure anybody knows but him.
And I bet that if we're patient, all will be revealed!

[bgt]

I'm not sure anybody knows but him.
And I bet that if we're patient, all will be revealed!

How wrong you are. You barely know Steve @ most. You have to know Steve personally enough to know how he operates.

Most people buy his stories since they don't know, they just see the PC front he puts on.

Steve has provided NO substantial proof to his standings and furthermore has been caught in countless lies in the past. So I'd say his trustworthiness is worth about 2 cents right now.

When no other fansites are shut down and Steve can't provide us a warrant; don't say I said so.

That's why I find people naive to believe Steve's word when he has no substantial way to backup his story, let alone anything else. I guess if you want to keep taking people's word for everything in life, you'll learn sooner or later not to believe what everyone says.

And Trust Me, if I'm every caught in an argument about this, I can prove any statement I've ever made, otherwise not known of our good friend, Steve.

[Bishopk]

Okay then, I'll admit i don't know him well, but I'd like to clarify my point: Patience may be the best tactic, since we haven't heard anything yet.

[Rukario]

it was and is Pokemon USA who filed a federal complaint.. the people who prosicute fed cases decided that it MAY have a case (I think not..) and requested a search warrant, to go 'fishing', for PPN's files and Pokemon related 'stuff'

Not much anyone can do at this time as there is no case# or anything else to go on.. just what the marshall said during his search.. (said it was generated by Pokemon USA again the PPN website.)

when i get more detailed info, so will you all. In the mean time, write/email PUSA complaining about the attack on PPN and fan-sites in general.

thanks.

[FauxCivility]

Uh, no other fansite has been even remotely threatened Steve.

[Revolution]

Yeah, but why did your site and only your site get taken down? Sorry but it seems a bit fishy to me.

[Zet]

other fan sites may not be a threat to pokemon USA

[Lord Kokkei]

Serebii is the biggest threat to PUSA.

[darkpikachu02]

He wasn't hosting anything illegal at PPN. No bootlegged Pokemon games, videos, or MP3s or anything else illegal for that matter. This is another vendetta by a company who doesn't like fan sites. There are tons of Mega Man fan sites on the net and you don't see Capcom going after people? It is a Pokemon USA/Nintendo of America vendetta. They are only 2 of a handful of companies that do these types of things. This has convinced me to not reserve a copy of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS.
Ben

[FauxCivility]

It's not though. Nintendo usually coordinates with sites to offer giveaways and stuff. Serebii also gets leaks from Nintendo.

Usually they fully support fansites.

[Revolution]

Yeah, but i believe Joe lives in the UK somewhere, so the USA cant raid his house or anything.

[darkpikachu02]

The US and UK are allies, all it would take is an email or phone call to the UK authorities from either the FBI or Interpol and the UK authorities would do their own raid. I hope that Steve is innocent and that there are no more raids.
Ben

[Revolution]

Just because the US Government contacts them and tells them doesn't there gonna do anything. They would have to investigate first.

[bgt]

Lets not be naive enough to believe that during a copyright raid, only one person is raided.

[Rukario]

It's not though. Nintendo usually coordinates with sites to offer giveaways and stuff. Serebii also gets leaks from Nintendo.

Usually they fully support fansites.
It's not Nintendo doing this.. it's Pokemon USA (ninty still sends me info and stuff..)

They feed me info in one hand and sic their legal team on me on the other hand.. go figure.

[FauxCivility]

It's no use writing to PUSA when they have their reasons for getting their legal team out though.

[bgt]

I still think PUSA has "other" intentions other than copyright, even if they fed Steve that story. Dunno if they just told him that to fish for other information or what.

Which I mean, I probably would say the same if I were fishing for other info or other theories. Only solid way you could get a warrant. Hard to get warrants off of rumors.

[Bishopk]

The plot thickens.
So Steve gets info from PUSA, and Serebii gets it from Nintendo? Or am I mistaken?

[FauxCivility]

You're mistaken in even trying to figure out what twisted ways information gets leaked. :B

[bgt]

Although PUSA is a subsidiary of NoA, it is still a seperate entity in itself, so, if any actions are taken against someone, it is only the actions of said subsidiary. i.e. just because PUSA chooses to enact, does not mean it was Nintendo's acting. So I find it naive for some people to simple say, well, I'm not supporting Nintendo anymore because Steve got raided. PUSA != Nintendo; yes, they do own them, however, their actions are seperate entities. Just as if Nintendo publishes a poor game, doesn't mean PUSA supported the poor game.

Contacting PUSA gets nothing done.

It falls on deaf ears. Anyone remember SOVA? lol.

It's not Nintendo doing this... its Pokemon USA

You got that right.

Well, good luck with your endeavors Steve.

[Rukario]

The plot thickens.
So Steve gets info from PUSA, and Serebii gets it from Nintendo? Or am I mistaken?
actually i get info from both as well as their PR people

[Bishopk]

Thanks for clearing it up for me.
Good luck with whatever hapens next.

[pokemon157]

I think that this whole thing is false , I think Steve is trying to shut down his site.
Steve is just giving us this big lie as a reason to close his site.

[Bekki]

I think that this whole thing is false , I think Steve is trying to shut down his site.
Steve is just giving us this big lie as a reason to close his site.

I don't think so for some reason. Steve has posibbly spent hours doing a Pokemon Fan site and then it get's closed or shut down, which I think no reason at all. I am no expert but that's what I think. If Steve have decided to close down the site, then maybe there is no more that he can do. Please give the guy a break.

That is all that I am saying on the subject.

[Anti Pop Culture Warrior]

I think that this whole thing is false , I think Steve is trying to shut down his site.
Steve is just giving us this big lie as a reason to close his site.

I doubt it...there is no reason at all to lie. He could just tell us he's closing down the site...sure we'd be sad, but Steve is probably a reasonable guy. We have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Dogar The Brave]

i've talked to steve before and i know that if he was closin down the site.. he would tell us.. dats dat.

[pokemonunearthed]

I don't think it's because they think ppn's a threat, I think it's that they want all fansites banned, and I've got one!

[RandomUsername]

I don't think it's because they think ppn's a threat, I think it's that they want all fansites banned, and I've got one!

I can understand banning site's that give out copyright'd stuff like full episodes, roms, mp3's ect, but i dont see any reason that "they" would like to ban all fansites for for good reason.

[Zet]

A warning letter would have to be sent first requesting all roms, mp3's, episodes etc to be removed before a site will be taken down

[Koroku]

A warning letter would have to be sent first requesting all roms, mp3's, episodes etc to be removed before a site will be taken downNot always. Shinsen-Subs is an example of that. FUNi went straight above and got control of the domain name, claiming copyright infrindgement, while Shinsen got nada.

[PB]

i heard from bulbanews that the site webmaster got raided?

Sounds Really serious over a pokemon site

I'm Uncertain

[FauxCivility]

It wasn't about his Pokemon stuff...

D:

[The Umanator.]

i think its a publicity stunt for more people. However, i could be wrong. Id it was taken down, there's not much more he can do other than rebuild underground and tell his story. I still dont see why someone would go to the length to shut down a fan site. Why havent they shut down Pokecharms or even Pokecommunity? Hell, go after anything with the picture of pikachu thats all. Why that site? I could be wrong but i dont get it. Make a statement and shut down a forum where hundreds of fans gather and spread what could be COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT on almost all of our sigs?

[FauxCivility]

Publicity for Nintendo or Steve?

[The Umanator.]

Well, it isn't good for nintendo. It makes steve look like a hero. Fighting the man. Thats all. Just look, he did almost nothing wrong. It just looks too suspicious for me.

[FauxCivility]

Yeah, except it's not because of Pokemon.

it's because of illegal porn.

Steve is not looking cool in this situation.

[Zet]

Yeah, except it's not because of Pokemon.

it's because of illegal porn.

Steve is not looking cool in this situation.

Have you got any evidence at all?

[FauxCivility]

That he's a 40yr old guy who runs a Pokemon forum?

No, I guess I don't have any evidence.

[[Yes, I actually have seen evidence]]

[pokemon157]

When I was talking with Joe (The Owner Of Serebii.net)
He said that it was something more than Copyright.
I have a good clue of what it was.

[The Umanator.]

And what would that be? Dont hold back

[Zet]

That he's a 40yr old guy who runs a Pokemon forum?

No, I guess I don't have any evidence.

[[Yes, I actually have seen evidence]]

then show us this evidence

[Ro-ohs]

I thought if you did have that kind of thing...

Wait...

If you ever had "that", how could he still even maintain a Pokemon website after an initial incident? I thought they permanently seized your computer if they suspect you of that kind of thing?

Or am I not thinking of the right "thing"?

[The Umanator.]

The server is probably at another location, he just maintains the website from his computer, not run it. That is what the server is for.

[Ro-ohs]

The server is probably at another location, he just maintains the website from his computer, not run it. That is what the server is for.

Yes, but am I thinking of the right...er...thing...crime?

Did he do what I am thinking he did?

Or, am I just being slanderous and going way over my head?

[The Umanator.]

you most likely have no idea whats going on do you?

[Ro-ohs]

you most likely have no idea whats going on do you?

I'm not actually new here. I've been here for a long, long time. Just on another account. Sadly, I've lost my old email and forgotten my old password, so my old account can't be salvaged.

Well, that is, I've posted here for a long time.

I'm going to make an assumption as to what he did that actually got his computer seized, and I think it might be correct. In fact, I think it probably is correct.

Although I don't really think it'd be appropriate to state exactly what he did. I do not know the extensive history of Steve, but what it sounds like is he might be quite a liar, and very deceptive.

Saying this, it might be my last post, I might get a banning.

So, no, I do not know the history of the situation, but I do have an idea as to what he probably did. As for how long ago he did it initially, I do not know. That would be helpful.

[Lmayonaise]

The genius that suggested illegal porn should have a gold statue erected in their honour.

You are intelligent, I picked this up from the minute I heard about it because I doubt the FBI would just raid his computer for a Nintendo filed complaint.

Paedophilia, anyone?

[Ro-ohs]

The genius that suggested illegal porn should have a gold statue erected in their honour.

You are intelligent, I picked this up from the minute I heard about it because I doubt the FBI would just raid his computer for a Nintendo filed complaint.

Paedophilia, anyone?

Don't go too far in carrying out such accusations unless you want to get b&, but I certainly think that is a good possibility. Be careful what you say, though. :I

Erm-hem.

I can't say anything else regarding this matter except this.

I hope it does not happen again if that is a reason.

I wish that, if illegal porn IS the reason he is raided, he will be given the chance to be given help, because illegal porn is extremely addictive. It's really sad for people who run across it and don't know what to do, because there is so little information out there for addicts of this kind of thing.

And yes. The addiction is very real. It is like alcoholism. It is serious and should be treated.

I guess I rambled on about something like this. >_<

[Lmayonaise]

It's only addictive if you're sad enough to thrust your sexual drive on porn all the time.

[FauxCivility]

Yeah. Real Person > Porn any day.

But yes, it's illegal porn.

[Cassidy]

Shinsen Subs is Finnish, and I recall when The Pirate Bay was raided - TPB is Swedish. So it may not be required in those countries that they send a warning first. I don't know.
But I do know that every guitar tableture situated in the US had to take all of their tabs down about a year ago. Each of the sites was sent a letter, warning them to take them down. So, with that said, it's true that it doesn't make sense that he was raided without any warnings: then again, how do we know whether or not there were warnings?

And come on folks, let's not jump to drastic conclusions.

EDIT: to FauxCivility: do you have any proof?

[saul]

Paul - where did you hear that, other than a rumour? O.o I'm not accusing you of making it up or anything, but I'm just curious. =P

Anyways, Porn is a horrible and terrible thing. Just the thought. Ugh. The only people who get involved with that are those who have no respect for themselves nor anyone else. Sad. and. pathetic. Why would you ruin your life to that?

[bgt]

... @ this thread.

having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous:

Porn, thats far from the truth. But also, copyright raid is also far from the truth. That's all I'll say.

[Cassidy]

Porn, thats far from the truth. But also, copyright raid is also far from the truth. That's all I'll say.

Not to be disrespectful, but it honestly doesn't sound like you know anything more than any of us. Throwing around ideas and theories, that's all we're doing.

[FauxCivility]

I've seen a police report with Steve's real name, the date in which he was arrested, and what he was charged with. Which is what the police have to let out as public record.

[Cassidy]

Yeah, someone told me that. But come on, Sacramento, the capitol of most populous state in the US. Isn't there even the slightest chance that two people live there with the same name, uncommon as it may be?

[saul]

I looked for a police report, found nothing - and I did have his real name and city, etc.

I did find that he shared his name with one other person there though. =P But the chances are way slim.

Anyways, that's horrible :C

[Ro-ohs]

Yeah. Real Person > Porn any day.

I disagree. (Not about porn, but about having a person around in general)

Also, what was the police report for?

[Zet]

anyone care to scan and upload and paste a link to the scanned report?

[Cassidy]

I just want to finalize my point: we don't know anything yet. Only that his place was raided. The reasons are still sketchy. It may be something heavy, or it may be something childish, like copyright infringement (the latter seems deeply unlikely). A simple Google search on a lot of these things will widen a lot of passages of knowledge. But whatever.

[FauxCivility]

If it was copyright, the offending material would be removed and Steve would be back :]

I would guess he's in jail or at least being detained. Another possibility is that he was legally ordered not to operate a child oriented website.

[Ro-ohs]

If it was copyright, the offending material would be removed and Steve would be back :]

I would guess he's in jail or at least being detained. Another possibility is that he was legally ordered not to operate a child oriented website.

If that's so, then how come he's active on the PPN blog? Or is that someone else?

[AceithCJ]

its already know that the goverment shut steve down due to a huge copyright thingy,pokemon fans are pissed at pokemon usa & jap,and for pokemonpalace.com,the sites 10% shut-down for good unforitly

[FoxHound!]

He wasn't hosting anything illegal at PPN. No bootlegged Pokemon games, videos, or MP3s or anything else illegal for that matter. This is another vendetta by a company who doesn't like fan sites. There are tons of Mega Man fan sites on the net and you don't see Capcom going after people? It is a Pokemon USA/Nintendo of America vendetta. They are only 2 of a handful of companies that do these types of things. This has convinced me to not reserve a copy of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS.
Ben

You'ld be suprised.

Once I made a Megaman website then Bam! In he comes all in blue, laser pointed to my head, Dr Willey removing my PC and dog. I am still getting over it D:

\Seriously though, if what Faux is saying is true, then I will be more than a little concerned.

[SBaby]

When I was talking with Joe (The Owner Of Serebii.net)
He said that it was something more than Copyright.
I have a good clue of what it was.

I think I know what you're referring to. But I really doubt that it's the case.

[Pieandcowz]

I personally think PUSA is jealous of PNN because maybe by chance PNN gets more hits than PUSA?

[FauxCivility]

I wish PC would just answer our questions. We do have a right to know if the charges are as serious as some of us assume.

[The Umanator.]

for all we know this is what they know. Remember, the only thing PC has to do with it is the fact that they are pokemon websites. It could be the fact that steve was receiving under the table payments for those MP3's. Or it could have nothing to do with his website. For all we know it could be tax evasion or some stupid stiff like that.

[Apostle]

Or you all could just drop it. If it was something Steve wanted everyone to know, he'd probably tell you. I honestly don't know why this thread has lived as long as it has.

[FauxCivility]

Or you all could just drop it. If it was something Steve wanted everyone to know, he'd probably tell you. I honestly don't know why this thread has lived as long as it has.
Because he's harvesting our IPs to track us down one by one? ;_;

[The Umanator.]

Or you all could just drop it. If it was something Steve wanted everyone to know, he'd probably tell you. I honestly don't know why this thread has lived as long as it has.

Or, we are just really bored and a conspiracy theory is fun?

[NytewolfAU2k7]

You know, this silence is suspicious, the whole event is suspicious, and no-one is talking. You'd have thought if he was going to do something Illegal he'd make it untraceable to himself, or reduce the likelihood anyway... But Meh, that's why this thread has continued as long as it has, in my opionion. there's too many unanswered questions.

I'm still waiting for proof that it was as steve said and not some B***S***. It's so easy to lie on the interwebs and I ain't fooled, not for one second.

[HelloPichu]

i am kinda happen about the pokemon raids because there are some webmasters that wouldnt be allow up from what i haven seen. i think it is lame that every pokemon site are using the same information. bulbanews is a great site but they are not using illegal media like alot of pokemon sites. just wanted to give my opinon. but it would be nice if they can get rid of some rude webmasters. if yall know what i mean.

[mrshaun7]

That sounds fake. I do not believe it.

[SBaby]

Or you all could just drop it. If it was something Steve wanted everyone to know, he'd probably tell you. I honestly don't know why this thread has lived as long as it has.

I'm starting to agree with you.

The thing is, we really don't know WHAT the deal is with this, outside of rumors and theories (some of them outright laughable). Now I've been a bit hesitant to actually give any of MY theories about it because I don't believe in doing that for touchy subjects like this.

If you ask me though, I'd say the best thing to do is just to wait for Steve to get back and see what he has to say about it.