U.K. Student Being Extradited To U.S. For Linking To Pirated Shows

Bad news for Brits: you too can be punished for violating U.S. copyright law! Richard O'Dwyer, a 23 year old student at Sheffield Hallam University, created the TVShack.net website, which U.S. officials claim linked to illegal movie and TV show files. Not hosted; just linked. Today, the Westminster Magistrates' Court ruled that O’Dwyer could be extradited to the U.S. and brought to trial for copyright infringement.

On top of being shipped overseas, O’Dwyer faces up to five years in U.S. prison if convicted, the BBC reports. It’s the first case of its kind, and O’Dwyer’s lawyer claims that the student is being used as a “guinea pig.” As a cherry on top, O’Dwyer was never actually charged with any crimes in Britain itself. O'Dwyer is expected to appeal the decision.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency contends that O’Dwyer’s website raked in over a quarter-million dollars in ad revenue before they were able to shut down the site.