日本初!! 映画字幕を違法に作成、アップロードした男性を逮捕!! （京都府警察本部 サイバー犯罪対策課／伏見警察署） July.06.2016

On July 5, 2016, police officers from Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters Cyber Crime Division and Fushimi Police Station conducted a search of the residence of the men. The police subsequently arrested the man on suspicion of illegally making and uploading subtitled copies of MPAA member company copyrighted movies in violation of the Copyright Act. This is the first case of its kind in Japan involving the illegal subtitling of foreign films.

The men are suspected of illegally translating the audio tracks of the films into Japanese, adding Japanese subtitles and uploading the files to the internet without the permission of copyright holders. He has admitted to the accusations.

In addition, another man was arrested on the same day for illegally making and uploading subtitled copies of MPAA member company copyrighted movies to the file share software “Perfect Dark” without copyright holders’ permission.

Commenting on the arrests, Mr. Takashi Anze, President of Motion Picture Translators Association, said, “The Japanese subtitled versions of foreign movies released in Japan were produced by the distribution companies, Japanese production companies and translators, each of whom devoted their expertise and energy to realizing the sense and meaning of the original films. To translators, each title is like their own child. We hope that all audiences can enjoy movies within the purview of the law.”

Mike Ellis, President and Managing Director Asia Pacific, Motion Picture Association (MPA), said “This is an important enforcement operation and we commend the work of the police authorities for bringing the case to a successful conclusion. Reducing the infringement of films and television shows online, along with educational campaigns and increasing access to a wide variety of legal online services will help ensure a vibrant and dynamic screen community that will benefit both filmmakers and consumers alike”

JIMCA initiated the investigation into the illegal subtitling activity, identified the website to which the illegal subtitled files were uploaded and engaged with the Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters Cyber Crime Division to pursue the investigation. JIMCA fully assisted the Police in their enquiries, working with the rights holders, examining illegal files, and providing logistical support.

JIMCA encourages a multi-pronged approach to reducing online infringement and creating a healthy digital ecosystem, including public education campaigns, promoting access to the many legal channels currently available, enforcement measures such as actions against illegal subtitling of movies, and legislative measures such as the introduction of disabling access to major pirate websites, an effective measure that is currently adopted by 40 countries around the world.