全国初、海賊版ブルーレイディスクを店舗で販売、逮捕 （大阪府都島警察署） March.06.2014

Operation by Osaka Prefectural Police Miyakojima Police Station
On March 6, 2014, officers from Osaka Prefectural Police Miyakojima Police Station searched a store premise located in Miyakojima Ward, Osaka-City and arrested the 55-year-old male store owner suspected of Copyright Act Violation for possessing pirated Blu-ray discs of MPAA member companies’ copyrighted movies with the intention of illegal selling them in the store.

According to police investigations, the store with no name displayed had repeatedly changed its location. During the search, more than 500 pirated Blu-ray discs were seized. After receiving a request from the Miyakojima Police Station, in addition to another crackdown conducted on the March 5, JIMCA’s staff members assisted in the investigations by accompanying the police during the operation and providing their expertise in identifying the pirated discs at the scene.

This was the first example of a store illegally selling pirated Blu-ray discs in Japan. The male store owner is currently being questioned by the police.

Regarding this case, Mr. Jim Takagi, Chair of the MPA Content Protection Committee; and Managing Director and President of NBC Universal Entertainment Japan LLC said, “We recognize that this exposure is of great significance. Selling pirated copies not only financially impacts movie production but also has become a severe obstruction for creators to produce their next films. Also, these acts negatively impact employment opportunities of those wanting to work for the movie industry. In order to continuously provide great films for the enjoyment of movie fans, please do not commit such illegal acts and do not aid these activities by purchasing pirated copies.”