The US Department of Justice has seized three websites which engaged in the illegal distribution of pirated copies of Android apps.
Websites Applanet, Appbucket and Snappzmarket have all been closed down as part of an FBI operation, in collaboration with French and Dutch law enforcement authorities – the first time that domains involving app piracy have been seized. 
“Cracking down on piracy of copyrighted works – including popular apps – is a top priority of the Criminal Division,” says assistant attorney general Lanny Breuer. “Software apps have become an increasingly essential part of our nation’s economy and creative culture, and the Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the creators of these apps and other forms of intellectual property from those who seek to steal it.”
