Japan to ban video sharing sites

[Digi.k]

I am basically going by what Kotaku has posted but come October...


Japan has recently passed a stricter revision to its copyright laws making, among other things, the download of illegally uploaded materials punishable by a prison sentence of less than 2 years and/or a fine of up to ¥2,000,000 (US$25,106).

The House of Representatives quietly passed the revision with virtually no coverage and almost no public announcement, second, the revision was rushed through and passed without council or discussion. Members of the Ministry of Education who could potentially place a vote against the revision have been switched out so there is no opposition in place. Of the public, the only major group of people who are aware of what is going on are the 2-channel using sub-culturalites, a group often spoken of by the mass media as social outcasts and potential criminals and as such does not have much political swaying power in the public eye.

As to the actual effects of the revision, attorney at law, Toshimitsu Dan recently spoke on what Japan can look for in the future.

The Effects:
1. Ripping and copying of copy-protected and encoded materials like DVDs and games is no longer considered "for personal use" and is punishable.
2. The sale of software and hardware that circumvents copy protection and access protections is forbidden.
3. The intentional download of illegally uploaded materials is now punishable.

Basically, according to Toshimitsu Dan, video sites like YouTube and Nico Nico Douga that download temporary data to your computer will potentially be targets for regulation in Japan. That, and/or anybody who uses those sites could face prison time. Not only that, but thanks to the arbitrary wording of the revision that leaves it wide open for abuse by the authorities, the law can even affect Japanese citizens outside the borders of Japan. Even a Japanese citizen in America who watches a video on YouTube could potentially be a target for criminal proceedings.

http://kotaku.com/5920140/come-october-dont-use-youtube-in-japan


http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1206/20/news015.html

[SignOfZeta]

This is the country that once (twice?) banned the sales of used video games...this kind of bullshit never sticks.

There is money in Youtube, and Japan being as capitalistic as it gets will not place [what someone sees as] justice over profit. They aren't going to let themselves be the only non-totalitarian country in the world that doesn't have Youtube.

[Bernie]

This is the country that once (twice?) banned the sales of used video games...this kind of bullshit never sticks.

There is money in Youtube, and Japan being as capitalistic as it gets will not place [what someone sees as] justice over profit. They aren't going to let themselves be the only non-totalitarian country in the world that doesn't have Youtube.

I was thinking the same thing.  One of those fall by the wayside kinda laws.

[SuperDeadite]

In Japan it is illegal to drink under the age of 20.  Yet nobody checks ID, and you can buy beer from vending machines on the street....

[Bernie]

In Japan it is illegal to drink under the age of 20.  Yet nobody checks ID, and you can buy beer from vending machines on the street....

That is pretty damn neato.

[spenoza]

Yeah, and Japan's basic beer supply is better than here in the US, though at the middle and upper tiers the US has more excellent beer options than just about anywhere else in the world.

[Nando]

Drunk JP politicians!

I wonder how they were/are thinking about enforcing this law?

"saving face law" kinda like their human traffic and child porn laws, worthless.

[Joe Redifer]

Japan is pretty odd about some of their rules.   Very young age of consent, beer from vending machines, but you can't sell pictures or video that show uncensored pussy or dick and now Youtube is evil.

I can't decide who I should feel bad for more, Japan or Australia.  Probably Australia, because they're Australians. ;)

[kazekirifx]

...though at the middle and upper tiers the US has more excellent beer options than just about anywhere else in the world.

So damn (and unfortunately) true. I'm paying out the ass for decent imported beer in Tokyo. And most beer I've had from the few craft breweries in Japan is sadly disappointing too (though Otaru Beer is excellent, and there are a few good ones in Niigata).

Back to the OT. This is harsh legislation, but hardly surprising for Japan. I don't think any other country guards copyright so strictly - and lots of people actually obey the laws! I doubt this will stick though. There are plenty of Japanese uploading and downloading current drama and anime on bittorrent these days. They'll all become eligible for jail time overnight.

[SuperDeadite]

The ironic thing is that a lot of Japanese people downloading anime are doing it because all the decent shows are aired in the 3-5am time slots.

[Ji-L87]

The ironic thing is that a lot of Japanese people downloading anime are doing it because all the decent shows are aired in the 3-5am time slots.

So those who actually have some kind of life and can't stay up that late (or wake up that early) will have to buy the expensive DVDs/Blu-rays. A clever scheme.

But yes, I assume most of the interesting shows of past years have all been aired during those late night time slots?

[SuperDeadite]

Or just use a DVR...  Kids shows are on at around 6am or after school hours.  Something insanely popular like One Piece is on primetime Sunday nights.  But 99% of all anime is aired after 1am.  Always has been.  Even tame cute stuff like K-On was aired at like 2:30am if I remember right.

[RegalSin]

That is so retarded. So basically anybody who uploads, anything on Video, or related media, will face fines. However let me tell you this.

Nobody respects DVD, which is number one. DVD has been a stupid mans media of choice People should just use VHS instead, which relied on hardware, then software.

Who cares? Because it does not really affect anybody, and everybody is looking at crap-tube basically. I think the reason for this, is because companies and people want to release their animations, which has not been produced for years, and now they find that people are watching it all the time, for free, from people who uploaded their VHS tapes.

This from a nation that, recensored comic book images, because foriengers from outside think the images will turn them into pedophiles but allows a people to continue fish whales, and dolphins   Why can't
they just become pure nationalists already, and make it linch law for outsiders to enter the damn nation already.

Stupid.

[kazekirifx]

Wow. Someone got up on the wrong side of their futon. 

[grimm]

USA has the best beer selection in the world? Eh.......? Do you know of a place called Europe?

[geise]

Haha!  Japan and copyright.  I guess all the doujin artists at comiket should now get arrested.

[RegalSin]

No that is differnt. Those are prodigy comics. As long as they do not pass them off as the same thing. Like the Wonder Momo and Gotcha man

[SamIAm]

I guess the real question now is whether or not they set up any system of locating, arresting and punishing the new "criminals" (aka giving the law teeth) or if they just made it illegal to look good.

The beer vending machines where I live all have ID scanners on them, so underage drinking is that much harder, but one thing that's still all over the place is prostitution. Yeah, it's technically illegal, but the brothels are packed into a single large neighborhood here with giant neon signs all over the place, and nobody does a damn thing about it. The only time the cops come around is when someone sets up an illegal casino in one of the basements.

Quick tip for future Japan dwellers: A guy from the NHK TV broadcasting company will come around to your house and insist that it's illegal for you to have a TV in your home and not be paying NHK every month. This is true, but if you refuse to sign the contract, they have zero legal recourse against you. If he starts arguing with you, start talking to him about god, and he'll go away. If you DO sign the contract, on the other hand, then they can technically sue you and get away with it.

[Nando]

but one thing that's still all over the place is prostitution. Yeah, it's technically illegal, but the brothels are packed into a single large neighborhood here with giant neon signs all over the place, and nobody does a damn thing about it. The only time the cops come around is when someone sets up an illegal casino in one of the basements.

I recently read Jake Adelstein "Tokyo Vice," it put a whole 'nother P.O.V in my head towards Japan. I highly recommend it.

[kazekirifx]

The beer vending machines where I live all have ID scanners on them,

They have beer vending machines with ID scanners finally? Good. I've always been hoping that would eventually allow the machines to make a comeback. The only place I ever see alcohol vending machines anymore is the ancient ones in front of liquor stores, and they shut off at sundown. BRING BACK THE BEER VENDING MACHINES!