Write file-sharing software, go to jail
Posted on May 11, 2004
Filed Under /dev/null/ | 76 views |
Isamu Kaneko, a professor in Japan, has been arrested for writing file-sharing software:
Isamu Kaneko, a 33-year-old assistant professor at the University of Tokyo, was arrested on suspicion of developing and offering free downloads through his file-sharing software called Winny, Kyoto Prefectural police said.
Kaneko’s arrest is believed to be the first in Japan of a suspected developer of file-sharing software. The charge of violating copyright laws carries up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen ($27,000).
- Copyright Arrest in Japan
I don’t know about Japan, their copyright laws must be truly draconian. It’s still quite a legal stretch to me to find that the development of software, which is essentially a tool, is thus directly responsible for copyright violation (the whole Xerox/Betamax/soon-to-be-digital camera-I-assure-you fiasco).
As someone who’s had a hand in creating three file-sharing/downloading systems, two of which are in use, this is still a bit troubling… hmm, I wonder if in a few years I’ll have just admitted to a felony?