"Grand Theft Auto V" has made its way to the internet before its official release, and Microsoft has begun banning users who have posted in-game images and footage using the leaked copies.

The Rockstar-developed game is one of the most anticipated of the year and is just a few days away from going on sale. Despite Rockstar's precautions to prevent the game from shipping early to customers or retailers, a few people have gained access to the leaked copy of the game and have posted various images and videos of the game to Instagram and Vine.

Rockstar has requested takedowns of content related to the game posted by users of the illegitimate version.

"No pre-release leaked footage of any kind: Any posting of in-game footage from leaked copies of the game prior to its official release date will be taken down, regardless of how the game was obtained," a Rockstar policy on media posted to its website states. "This includes 'early unboxing' videos."

Microsoft has obtained the gamertag of at least one user from his screenshots and has banned the console from Xbox Live permanently, as it did previously with "Halo 4" pirates. The pirate would now need to purchase a new console in order to access Xbox Live.

"Grand Theft Auto V" officially launches for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Sept. 17.

Source: TSA & Gizmodo UK | Image via Rockstar Games