Recently, some internet media sites have reported that a young boy in Kagoshima was accused of illegal uploading copyrighted files.
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1310/21/news131.html
In fact, there have been several similar stories about arrests since the Illegal Download Law was created last year. Usually nobody notices these stories, and they only report simple details. They talk about the location, the software used and the number of files shared. But they never talk about the suffering of the victims.
The victims are not JASRAC, musicians, or artists. The real victims are the people who download and upload files. While many people disagree about file sharing and downloading copyright files, the new punishments for illegal uploading and downloading are completely unreasonable. If an ordinary high school student, housewife, or salaryman uses filesharing for even a small number of files, they can go to jail for up to 10 years. Furthermore, they gain a permanent criminal record. Their lives, jobs, and families are ruined forever.
For serious crimes like murder or robbery these punishments might be necessary. But music, movies, and profit are not more important that peoples' lives. Even worse, a recent report showed that after one year of using the Illegal Download Law, CD and online music sales in Japan have not improved at all.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/10/15/music/download-law-yet-to-bite-after-a-year/#.UnEWarP7sYw
In other words, the Illegal Download Law is meaningless. JASRAC and the Police are ruining peoples' lives for no reason. Since the media does not want to show how people suffer under the Illegal Download Law, we will show you the truth.
We contacted the young boy in Kagoshima and asked for his side of the story:
Q1: Thank you for answering our questions. When and how did you find out about the accusation?
A1: I found out about it in the newspaper on the 23rd, on the homepage of JASRAC.
It was also in the TV news on the same day, and an article was posted online as well.
Q2: How has this accusation affected your life, and the lives of your family?
A2: Since the staff at my school found out about the accusation, they've treated me like I'm strange. Even my parents treat me this way. I feel like there's no place I belong.
Q3: How have the police treated you and your family?
A3: The Police came in late August, only told me about the accusation of the 13 downloaded songs, they didn't talk about μTorrent. I am reflecting because its what I did, but I don't think it's a good idea to talk about what I didn't talk about with the police.
Q4: A news article about your situation was published online recently. How did you feel about it?
A4: I'm worried my address and so forth will be leaked out, since this story is already on the TV and internet news, and I'm worried about my future.
Q5: Recently it was reported that CD and music sales have not changed one year after the Illegal Download Law started. Some people think this is proof that the Illegal Download Law is unnecessary. How do you feel about the Illegal Download Law? Do you think the law is unfair?
A5: I'm reflecting on what I did before I answer this question. I think it's unnecessary since there is no change in sales.
Q6 While the police are enforcing the law, JASRAC is the organization accusing you. Do you have anything you would like to ask or tell them?
A6: I have nothing special to say, but I'm worried, even though the police said details about my case wouldn't be leaked.
Q7: Finally, do you have anything you would like to say our readers about your situation?
A7: I can't say anything since I've never made contact with them. When this case leaked out, I thought I'd be better off dead. I'm still thinking that a bit now. I also want to thank JapanAnon for giving me the chance to give my opinion, and I think it made me feel relieved a bit.
This Article was written by Anonymous Japan, if you want to know more about the issue, ask @japananon (
https://twitter.com/JapanAnon) on twitter
