Japanese ISPs to disconnect p2p users

[Sensuifu]

"The nation's four Internet provider organizations have agreed to forcibly cut the Internet connection of users found to repeatedly use Winny and other file-sharing programs to illegally copy gaming software and music..."

"The Internet provider organizations have, however, judged it possible to disconnect specific users from the Internet or cancel provider contracts with them if they are identified as particularly flagrant transgressors in cooperation with copyright-related organizations, according to sources."

source (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080315TDY01305.htm)




nothing too different from what I recall some ISPs in the U.S. already practicing (to some degree, albeit less 'intrusive'), but how do you see this affecting the Japanese markets? In the U.S. the RIAA 'won' over p2p sites like Napster, Audiogalaxy, etc. Will Winny et al follow a similar fate and become more underground? Or will nothing come of this and everything will just continue to be torrented? How will this affect the distribution of broadcasts ripped straight to RAW files ready for download?

[zaldar]

All I can say is good. I hope it cuts down on it as this can only help the market in Japan and here.

[drown]

I am very curious about how this will play out. It's definitely strange the the ISPs are doing this in the first place. First of all, they can't be held liable for what their customers are downloading/sharing, so they're not doing this to protect themselves for lawsuits. To the contrary, they'd be taking quite the risk because it seems to be the case that they may be violating privacy laws by monitoring what their customers are using their connections for.

It's a really bad (and perhaps illegal?) business decision. Those ~1.75 illegal downloaders are worth billions of yen in revenue to the ISPs, so disconnecting them when you don't have to really would be shooting yourself in the foot.

As for its effects, it's hard to say. The article makes it sound like they're only talking about Winny, in which case it will probably receive its final death blow as users will move on to Share or other alternatives. I think raws will continue to find their way to fansubbers overseas. There are just too many different ways to get them out there, and you don't need professional equipment to make a good rip of a television broadcast.

[DocWatson]

(NSFW) Simon Jones' take on the matter (http://www.icaruscomics.com/wp_web/?p=1157).

[MaikuB]

Might want to read this

http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/1407/File+sharing+in+Japan/

They clarify that it's due to the network load that they are disconnecting users, not because of illegal downloads.

[hikaru004]

Might want to read this

http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/1407/File+sharing+in+Japan/

They clarify that it's due to the network load that they are disconnecting users, not because of illegal downloads.

But the network congestion was due to illegal downloads so in essence they are going after the power illegal downloaders.

A 10 billion yen loss is a little hard to argue against imo.

[WeirdlyGruesome]

Nothing will come of this. This entire game is just move/counter-move. Throw an obstacle in the way and someone will find a way around it.

One question I have does Japan have Safe Harbor laws similar to the ones in the US?

[Lunatic_Sae]

Might want to read this

http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/1407/File+sharing+in+Japan/

They clarify that it's due to the network load that they are disconnecting users, not because of illegal downloads.

I don't think Japan's P2P scene will change much at all. Several American ISP providers have been trying to monitor P2P traffic because of the load it places on the network, but it has had very little to no effect on the P2P scene. Japan is also very liberal in their internet laws (ie you're allowed to download content for your personal use, but its illegal to upload it...you can take as long as you don't give - seems kind of counterproductive in reducing illegal filesharing), so I doubt much will come of this after the press release linked in Danny Choo's blog.

[WeirdlyGruesome]

Something of an update (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080328TDY02308.htm).

From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

An advisory panel to the National Police Agency that is looking into ways to prevent cybercrime released Thursday a report on copyright violation issues concerning the person-to-person file sharing software Winny, proposing that Internet service providers should be required to disclose the identity of customers who have used the software to illegally exchange copyrighted movies and music.

[BluWacky]

Something of an update (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080328TDY02308.htm).

From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

An advisory panel to the National Police Agency that is looking into ways to prevent cybercrime released Thursday a report on copyright violation issues concerning the person-to-person file sharing software Winny, proposing that Internet service providers should be required to disclose the identity of customers who have used the software to illegally exchange copyrighted movies and music.

Surely no-one still actually uses Winny? I thought Japan was moving on to Share and Perfect Dark now (especially as Winny isn't Vista-compatible), both of which are supposedly more secure than Winny ever was.

[hikaru004]

Something of an update (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080328TDY02308.htm).

From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

An advisory panel to the National Police Agency that is looking into ways to prevent cybercrime released Thursday a report on copyright violation issues concerning the person-to-person file sharing software Winny, proposing that Internet service providers should be required to disclose the identity of customers who have used the software to illegally exchange copyrighted movies and music.

Surely no-one still actually uses Winny? I thought Japan was moving on to Share and Perfect Dark now (especially as Winny isn't Vista-compatible), both of which are supposedly more secure than Winny ever was.

For their sakes, I hope not after this report because this line is worse news in the short term.


Ahead of the release of the panel's latest report, the providers and copyright groups agreed to withdraw Internet services from copyright violators.


This is going to be painful for those internet users.

[doink-chan]

Might want to read this

http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/1407/File+sharing+in+Japan/

They clarify that it's due to the network load that they are disconnecting users, not because of illegal downloads.

I don't think Japan's P2P scene will change much at all. Several American ISP providers have been trying to monitor P2P traffic because of the load it places on the network, but it has had very little to no effect on the P2P scene. Japan is also very liberal in their internet laws (ie you're allowed to download content for your personal use, but its illegal to upload it...you can take as long as you don't give - seems kind of counterproductive in reducing illegal filesharing), so I doubt much will come of this after the press release linked in Danny Choo's blog.

True. The English reports really made it out to be something more than it really is. It's targeted at heavy users, and furthermore it's targeted at Winny. I agree with Danny Choo's thoughts on it and I doubt that people will stop file sharing.

[AstroNerdBoy]

All I can say is good. I hope it cuts down on it as this can only help the market in Japan and here.

The only thing that will help the Japanese market is cheaper DVD/Blu-Ray prices. Since the Japanese companies are intent on bending the consumer over (compare paying nearly $400 for TM!R OVA 3 in Japan vs. ~$30 (give or take) in the U.S.), the Japanese will find other means of getting free stuff, just as has happened in the U.S.

[Mazinkaizer]

I said it before, unless the Japanese start thinking outside the box and start releasing their DVDs earlier than they used (some are already doing that), and of course include English in top-hit shows....well even if they had to lease a third party to do it. Especially with the BD having the same region as the US. Well that's my opinion of course :)

Else, they'll keep circling in an endless circle....sad but true