RIAA Hires ATF Chief for Anti-Piracy Unit

The trade group representing the music industry said it had hired the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to lead its efforts against digital piracy.

The Recording Industry Assn. of America said Bradley A. Buckles would head its anti-piracy unit, working with law enforcement agencies and staff investigators around the country to stamp out the piracy of music that the industry has blamed for slumping sales and lost profits.

Buckles will leave the ATF on Jan. 3 after 30 years of service, including four as the bureau's director during which he oversaw a staff of more than 4,800 and a budget of more than $800 million.

RIAA member companies include Vivendi Universal's Universal Music, Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Music, Sony Corp.'s Sony Music, Bertelsmann's BMG and EMI Group.

From Reuters