Downloading movies and songs legal in Japan!
Posted by Matt Dioguardi on September 23rd, 2007
Wow, according to the Asahi, it’s legal to download movies, music, and other goodies off the internet. Cool!
Under the current Copyright Law, it is not illegal for people to download content offered without permission of copyright holders as long as the content is for private use at home. Planned revisions to the law would give copyright holders legal grounds to take action against unauthorized Internet content.
Oh, so I guess they want to change that. Will that include cracking down on cops who take home notebook computers to download porn and end up sharing private police records with all the world? I hope so.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:03 am
You’re confusing the issue. AFAIK, the cops did not willfully share private police records, rather they were screwed by poor security and Winny. These two problems need to be addressed. How is that people are allowed to take sensitive information home with them on their laptop computers and why on earth are Japanese still using Winny after all of its perils have been endlessly and breathlessly covered by the media?
Why is the computer security policies at the organizations where the leaks occurred so freaking lax?
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Vimy,
If you read the post I linked to, I think you’ll find we agree. I was making an attempt at wry humor with my statement.
If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to downloading some files before they make it illegal …
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:23 pm
It might be legal to download movies and songs, but if you use bit torrent, you are technically distributing such material as you download it…
September 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I think that’s a good point.
Also, to say something is legal isn’t necessarily to say its a good idea.
Ultimately, if you don’t purchase the stuff that entertains you (or at least frequent their advertisers), those who produce it won’t make any money, and so … they will be less able to spend time producing it.
I do think distribution methods need to be vastly improved though, especially so that they create an equal playing field for artists who are just starting out. Not that this isn’t already beginning to happen because of the Internet …
September 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I suppose we are on the same page. The article is vague in how it intends to distinguish between downloading copyright content with permission and outright theft. Why do I have a feeling this isn’t going to work?
I wonder if this will affect bit torrent? It seems to me that is becoming or has become the preferred way to download large files such as game patches, trial versions of software, and Linux distros.