8 charged in illegal release of 'Star Wars'

US authorities charged eight people with the illegal online release of the final Star Wars film before it appeared in cinemas.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith was leaked onto the internet the day before the film's worldwide release in May.

Documents from the court in Los Angeles allege the copy was taken from a post-production facility in California, where one of the defendants worked.

The defendants are charged with various offences relating to the leak, reports BBC.

According to Times, the 28-year-old employee, Albert Valente, pleaded guilty to stealing the movie from his workplace and six others have been charged with illegal distribution of the film.

The eighth defendant has been charged with making the film available online and could face a prison term of three years if found guilty.