Japan introduces piracy penalties for illegal downloads

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Japan-based internet users who download copyright infringing files face up to two years in prison or fines of up to two million yen ($25,700; £15,900) after a change to the law.

Such activity has been illegal since 2010, but until now had not invoked the penalties.

It follows a lobbying campaign by country's music industry.

But critics said that efforts should have remained focused on stopping users making such material available.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19767970

[tama]

1. Freedom of information

[dipsydoodle]

2. Which doesn't change the fact

that theft of copyright is theft and being in possession of stolen copyright material is theft too.

[tama]

3. Legal theft

WIPO copyright is theft created by illegitimate legislation.

[davidpdx]

4. Oh fuck, this is going to spread to other Asian countries it's just a matter of time

No more TV shows, movies or football. It's back to the stone age. Might have to buy a 5 terabyte hard drive and fill the bastard. The stuff on TV here blows bad.

[randome]

5. It won't last long.

As soon as someone high profile gets caught, there will be calls for leniency.

You can call it theft if you want when someone offers an item for copying. But now that we're in the digital age, the cat is out of the bag. No good can come of trying to put it back.

[joshcryer]

6. Torrent Freak's take:

Anti-Downloading Law Hits Japan, Up To 2 Years in Prison From Today
A few hours ago Japan introduced new anti-piracy legislation designed to clamp down on illegal file-sharing. The regime is one of the most draconian in the world. In most countries users are only targeted when they upload copyright-infringing material to other Internet users, but the new law’s wording means that simply downloading unauthorized material could result in a jail sentence.

According to the Recording Industry Association of Japan and their IFPI affiliates, the Japanese music industry is in trouble. Unauthorized downloads eclipse those from official source by 10 to 1, and the market for downloads shrank by 16% last year.

...

From today, knowingly downloading copyright infringing material can result in a two-year jail sentence or a fine of 2 million yen ($25,680). But there could be complications.

Tracking uploaders of infringing material is a fairly simple affair, with rightsholders connecting to file-sharers making available illicit content and logging evidence. However, proving that someone has downloaded content illegally presents a whole new set of issues.