SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Last Update on February 03, 2012 08:18 GMT

IN THE NEWS: A SUPER CRACKDOWN

NEW YORK (AP) -- If your Super Bowl-watching plans included checking out the big game on one of those "don't tell anybody about this" web sites that feature streams of live sporting events -- better make other plans. The Feds have shut down more than a dozen of those sites. Federal investigators have seized 16 sites in all -- and brought criminal charges against a Michigan man who controlled nine of those sites. The moves were announced just hours after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told reporters covering the Super Bowl he watched last year's game on an illegal site. New York Giants fans, don't get excited -- Brady won't be locked up for Sunday's game. Feds have also announced they are cracking down on overseas-based web sites that offer cut-rate jerseys and gear for NFL teams, as well as stuff for other major sports. Wondering why the federal government is involved in this? Authorities say piracy costs the sports leagues money -- which ends up being passed along to consumers through higher ticket prices and increased fees for subscriptions to sports packages on cable and satellite carriers.