A Toshiba employee in western Japan has been arrested by police for selling software that allows users to copy digital TV content indefinitely. This is the first disclosed case in Japan of an arrest for software that breaks copy limits on such content, the Japanese media has reported.
Tetsuya Masumura was arrested on November 25th in Ehime prefecture on charges of copyright violations for selling software that would override the “Dubbing10” digital content management system, allowing for users to make unlimited copies of recorded programming, according to the Yomiuri. Dubbing10 is programming used in a number of recent recording and playback devices in Japan that essentially allows for digital programs to be copied a limited number of times in devices for personal use. It was introduced in July of 2008 to settle complaints that the prior system, which only allowed a single copy, was too restrictive.
Police told the media that Masumura was selling copies of the restriction-removal software online as downloads or CDs that he would mail out. Police said sales came with instructions to allow for easy use for even beginners. Masumura is accused in two specific instances, one where he sold a CD-R to a man for 850 yen (~$8USD) and another where he sold a download to a teenager for 650 yen (~$6USD). In the second case the teenager reportedly then resold the software approximately 240 times, earning about 145,000 yen (~$1640 USD), the Mainichi reported.
It is believed that over a period of a year, Masumura sold the software to at least 714 people, potentially generating hundreds of thousands of yen in earnings. He reportedly admitted to police that he did it for “extra pocket cash.” However, he also said “I didn’t make the software myself,” according to a report from 47news.jp.
Masumura is said to have worked for the large electronics manufacturer Toshiba for over 15 years. In a public statement on the 25th, Toshiba said the issue is “truly regrettable” and that they intend to make a “stringent response” based on police investigation.
Read more news from Japan by the Japan Headlines Examiner
Comments
If the Toshiba employee had limited his sales then released it as a torrent, it may have worked out. :)
Kudos, to the teen that resold the software. Quite the enterprising mind there, eh.. albeit a little misguided. ;)
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