Music download website RnBXclusive's hosting provider was forced to take down the site by The UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) One arrest has been made and a threat was published on the site that anyone who has used RNBXclusive may have been breaking the law, which could result in 10 years in prison.

The original story was reported on ZDNET UK, RnBXclusive was run in the UK but was hosted overseas. The owner had no say in the matter because the hosting provider willingly took the site down because it broke the terms of the provider. This was conspiracy-to-defraud law.

The website was thought to contain copyright music stolen from artists. This is said to be harmful for song writers and musicians.

The strong message warned RnBXclusive visitors said:

"If you have downloaded music using this website, you may have committed a criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine under UK law,"

It seems that more people are using online sources to download and distribute music. SOCA are keen to take action on any individual or company distributing stolen material. Action is taken because they say it is damaging for many up and coming artists.

Checking the website today you simply get this message: http://www.rnbxclusive.com/

'SOCA has taken control of this domain name'.

There has been some complaints though by organisations about how situations like this are dealt with, not everyone agree. Some say that these actions are excessive, threatening internet users with such punishment as 10 years in jail.

What are your thoughts on this?

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