Japan: Police Arrest Journalists For Selling DVD-Backup Tools

Modellismo writes "Last week four journalists from Sansai Books were arrested for selling, through the company website, a copy of a magazine published last year (with a free cover mounted disc) focused on how to backup/rip DVDs. They violated Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Law that recently has been revised to make illegal the sale of any DRM circumvention device or software. It's interesting to note that Japanese cyber police could arrest the Amazon Japan CEO, too, as the online giant is selling a lot of magazines, books and software packages for DVD copy and ripping: exactly what put Sansai Books' staff in trouble."

Comments

Re:not in the USA

[cpu6502]

I think the guy was talking about the Government-issued corporate license, which makes corporations an extension of the government with special govt-granted privileges (like immunity for the owners). Of course the corporations return the favor by giving politicians campaign donations. Quoting from the article:

>>>"Japanese cyber police could arrest the Amazon Japan CEO..... exactly what put Sansai Books' staff in trouble."

No because Amazon has bribed the politicians not to bother them, and instead go after competitors. The law is an effective way to kill off any potential new business from challenging the top dogs. Ditto regulations which hurt new small businesses more than large businesses. Contrary to popular believe Megacorps LOVE regulations, especially those written in their favor.