The US Department of Justice has taken down three websites offering pirated Android apps, in what was its first action against rogue app sites.

The three sites, applanet.net, appbucket.net and snappzmarket.com, now display the DOJ seal, explaining that the domain name has been seized by the FBI and warning of the penalties for copyright infringement.

Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer explains in a statement that cracking down on piracy of copyrighted works – including popular apps – is now a top priority for the Department of Justice.

“Software apps have become an increasingly essential part of our nation’s economy and creative culture, and the Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the creators of these apps and other forms of intellectual property from those who seek to steal it,” Breuer adds.