News Releases

August 11, 2014
Japanese Society for Rights of Authors,
Composers and Publishers
(JASRAC)

Copyright infringement using file-sharing software “Share”
Man referred to prosecutors for illegally uploading music data files

The Cybercrime Office, Security Section, Community Safety Department of the Aomori Prefectural Police Headquarters and the Hachinohe Police Station today referred a 35-year-old man living in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, to the Aomori District Public Prosecutors Office. The man was making music and other data files available to the public on the Internet using the file-sharing software “Share”.

The man is suspected of infringing copyright (public transmission rights) by making music data files containing music works administered by JASRAC available to an indefinite number of Internet users without authorization, and JASRAC took legal action on May 21, 2014.

According to the police investigation, it was found that the man began using “Share” as well as “Winny” and “PerfectDark” more than 7 years ago, and made a large number of music data files available to the public over the Internet. It was also found that the man downloaded a vast amount of music and video files using such file-sharing software and stored them in his external hard disk drive.

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).

With the cooperation of those involved, JASRAC will redouble its efforts to promote the legitimate use of music on the Internet.

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