News Releases

December 1, 2017
Japanese Society for Rights of Authors,
Composers and Publishers
(JASRAC)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters Arrests 2 Persons
For Reproducing and Distributing Online Karaoke Music Data without Authorization

On November 29, following a complaint filed by JASRAC, the Cybercrime Division of Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters and its Kasuga Police Station arrested a 60-year-old man residing in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture and a 62-year-old man residing in Ama County, Aichi Prefecture for alleged copyright infringement (violation of public transmission rights). They allegedly copied and sold hard disks of online karaoke machines for business use which include many musical works administered by JASRAC without authorization.

Online karaoke machines for business use cannot be used unless the user signs a contract with the karaoke operator and connects to the communication line. However, according to the police investigation, the 2 persons made profit of 12 million yen by illegally modifying the online karaoke program of hard disks to make it available without signing a contract, copying it in large amounts and selling them through Internet auctions.

JASRAC will continue its efforts to deal with illegal usages which threatens business who properly uses music in cooperation with other related parties and business operators.

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