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News Releases

March 20, 2014
Japanese Society for Rights of Authors,
Composers and Publishers
(JASRAC)

Copyright infringement using file-sharing software "Cabos"
3 persons referred to prosecutors for illegally uploading music data files

Three persons who illegally uploaded to the Internet music files of copyright works administered by JASRAC without authorization using the file-sharing software "Cabos" were referred to the respective district public prosecutors offices:

  1. The Living Environment Section, Department of Community Safety of the Yamanashi Prefectural Police Headquarters and the Minami Kofu Police Station referred a 32-year-old woman living in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, to the Kofu District Public Prosecutors Office on March 13, 2014. During a period of roughly 6 years, the woman made more than 1,000 music files available to the public over the Internet. She used online facilities installed in a shared house in which she lives, and the file-sharing software "Cabos." JASRAC took legal action on February 26, 2014.
  2. The Living Environment Section, Department of Community Safety of the Oita Prefectural Police Headquarters and the Usuki Tsukumi Police Station referred a 47-year-old man living in Usuki City, to the Oita District Public Prosecutors Office on February 26, 2014. The man has made music data files available to the general public over the Internet without authorization for a period of roughly 4 years, frequently changing the software settings of "Cabos." JASRAC took legal action on March 4, 2014.
  3. The Living Environment Section, Department of Community Safety of the Miyagi Prefectural Police Headquarter and the Taiwa Police Station arrested a 30-year-old man living in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, who uploaded animation files to the Internet using the file-sharing software "Cabos." Subsequent investigation revealed that the man also made music data files available to the public over the Internet. JASRAC took legal action on March 4, 2014, and the man was referred to the Sendai District Public Prosecutors Office on March 13, 2014.

The police are also strengthening their approach towards acts of copyright infringement using file-sharing software. Between Feb. 27 and 29, 2014, police departments across the country in all 45 prefectures commenced a nationwide crackdown, with searches conducted at 123 locations, resulting in 33 arrests.

Since 2003, JASRAC has continued to apply measures aimed at preventing acts of copyright infringement using file-sharing software. And from March 2010, JASRAC has been conducting public awareness activities asking users of file-sharing software to delete illegal files, based on guidelines promoted by the Consortium against Copyright Infringement via File-Sharing Software (CCIF).

JASRAC, in cooperation with other parties, will continue to issue cautions and warnings against illegal music distribution over the Internet, and will seek to raise copyright awareness through public relations activities to promote the legitimate use of music.

END

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