You're Busted! Watching Erin Andrew's Naked Video is a Crime

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Cybercrime

(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, left, with Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, Jan. 27, 2007.

NEW YORK (CBS) As more people click on or search for the video that shows ESPN reporter Erin Andrews walking naked around a hotel room, many online viewers don't realize they are actually breaking the law.

"The Early Show" spoke with CBS News Legal Analyst Lisa Bloom, who said downloading or watching the nude Erin Andrews video is illegal.

"Its like buying or selling stolen property," said Bloom. "If you know you are buying something that was stolen... you could be liable criminally and civilly."

Photos: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video Scandal

Andrews apparently was recorded on video through a peephole, possibly drilled into her hotel room's wall. That too is a crime.

And while police are not likely to breaking down anyone's door for downloading the Andrews video or streaming it online, people searching for the nude video could receive a nasty surprise. Hackers are creating fake websites purported to contain the Andrews video. But try to download the video and you might download a Trojan horse virus instead.

According to the New York Post, the people behind the video that shows the nude ESPN reporter fixing her hair and putting on her makeup are now reportedly trying to sell it to the highest bidder.

Andrews intends to seek legal actions once the video voyeur have been identified. Andrews could also press charges for humiliation.

"This was something stolen from Erin Andrews," Bloom said. "...Her Privacy and reputation."

PREVIOUSLY ON CRIMESIDER
July 20, 2009 - Hackers Use Naked Video of ESPN Star Erin Andrews to Attack Your PC

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by handrblock November 22, 2009 9:34 PM EST: Whoever did this will do their time at a CAMP run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Read this post by a recent former inmate at a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) camp at the Schuylkill FCI in Minersville, Pennsylvania where Sam Waksal did a lot of his sentence, and where Joe Nacchio recently reported. The BOP camps are a 24/7 party. Andrew Fastow has done his whole sentence at camps as well. Currently he is at the camp in Florence Colorado. The BOP tries to hide this by listing these guys as inmates at the bigger prisons where inmates are behind the fence.

http://fprison.wordpress.com

This is not justice.; Reply to this comment


by ibsteve2u October 8, 2009 1:59 PM EDT: I find such things boring.

Unless, of course, she GAVE it to me personally...

lolll...When pigs fly, all that.; Reply to this comment


by playgtar July 24, 2009 12:20 PM EDT: I haven't seen it. But based on seeing her with clothes on, I'd say it could actually enhance her reputation, and maybe open some more doors for her. I hope she ends up making a killing off of this. I also hope whoever did it to her gets the punishment they are due.; Reply to this comment


by Jaxpire July 24, 2009 10:04 AM EDT: I hope Erin Andrews is not linked in supporting any of these sites or so called hackers that are spreading viruses with her video. Since knowingly spreading a computer virus is illegal and could land her jail time and or fees.; Reply to this comment


by jonathansj July 24, 2009 9:44 AM EDT: i wish i could see the vid. but i think its wrong to make people star in a movy without a contract. i think she should get a million dollars per frame from the video; Reply to this comment


by eatmorchickin July 24, 2009 9:23 AM EDT: Nonsense. The word on the street was that this is her publicity stunt and by God, it's working. Nonetheless, who the hell does naked butt squats while curling their hair? The biggest disappointment here is that she clearly knows that she is super-hot and is a narcissist.; Reply to this comment


by mottasa-2009 July 24, 2009 8:40 AM EDT: Oh ohh.....

Memorandum to Chief of Staff:

Have this removed from White House server.

Your clueless leader,
Obama; Reply to this comment


by hagar39 July 24, 2009 8:19 AM EDT: Crime? Driving over a posted speed limit is a crime. Ever see anybody driving over the speed limit in your area of the USA? Like on a interstate highway.; Reply to this comment


by mcl47 July 24, 2009 6:29 AM EDT: If it's illegal to download and have in your possession then shouldn't the publisher & editor of the New York Post be in jail? I read that not only do they have it but they published some stills from the movie. ESPN has banned all Post reporters as a result.; Reply to this comment


by horndogdotcom July 23, 2009 8:18 PM EDT: "Hackers are creating fake websites purported to contain the Andrews video. But try to download the video and you might download a Trojan horse virus instead. "

i find this completely unsubstantiated, and honestly it sounds like nothing more than the media trying to scare regular people into NOT looking for it.; Reply to this comment