AP: Feds charge Chinese nationals in software piracy scheme

    One of two Chinese nationals charged in an international software piracy scheme has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Delaware.

     

     

    Xiang Li has agreed to plead guilty to two conspiracy counts involving copyright infringement and wire fraud. He is scheduled to appear at a plea hearing Monday. Prosecutors agreed to drop more than 40 other counts against Li.

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    Li and codefendant Chun Lan Li were charged with conspiracy, copyright infringement, smuggling, wire fraud and other crimes.

    Cosburn Wedderburn, a former NASA employee from Maryland, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in April to conspiracy. Prosecutors said he purchased more than $1 million worth of stolen software.

    The case involves a website called “Crack 99” that sold pirated software in which access control mechanisms had been “cracked,” or circumvented.

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