Interview with a German releasegroup member (English)
Q: The scene is regarded of many people as the “Warez Scene”. What is the “scene” for you?
For me the scene is like a competition, the best group has the highest status. The real scene is just a small elite group. Most of the “scene web sites” have nothing to do with the scene. They only try to make as much money as possible, and bring the real sceners in danger.
Q: How did the scene recover after the large busts in the middle of 2005?
The scene does not only go back a few years, it goes back to the 1980’s. What I mean by this is that the scene can be weakened but after a short time it can regain its strength. Old groups go and new ones replace them.
Q: Since then did the competition between the Groups grow or decrease?
As I said, after the busts in 2005 new Groups came. Many disappeared but nevertheless some turned into well-known Groups.. The competition remained about the same.
Q: How does it look with the servers? The servers that were seized at that time, were great machines. What about the 11Tb monster?
These servers stand abroad and with the most wondrous methods to hide them from the law. Some interesting hiding methods circulated before the raids.
Q: To your knowledge, how many people were arrested?
Actually none. Every now and then so-called “szeneNfo” files circulate in which people are warned. That prevents people from getting arrested.
Q: Is the rumor true that a married couple were condemned because they were both group members?
I hear the rumor today for the first time however why should not that not have passed?
Q: Why did the groups start getting attention?
In former times as the releases did not leak onto file-sharing networks, no-one was really interested in us as we were just a few computer enthusiasts exchanging material in a small circle. Since then everything leaks to P2P and the public gets access, so we are hunted [by the authorities]
Q: Are there any measures to prevent releases for leaking?
Briefly after the raids we made some coded releases, there were no leads however.
