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Japanese Man Arrested for Auctioning Illegal DVD Copies
posted on by Egan Loo
Police in Saitama, a prefecture directly northwest of Tokyo, arrested Kenichirō Yoshizaki for copyright infringement in selling unauthorized DVD copies of Keroro Gunsō (Sgt. Frog) and other works on Yahoo! Japan's auction website. From January to December of last year, the 27-year-old used car dealer allegedly sold copied DVDs to over a thousand people for a profit of 9,500,000 yen (about US$83,000). He was arrested on July 24, and he was booked on September 18 for trial. During the investigation in his home, a notebook computer and DVD-Rs were seized.
Among other allegations, Yoshizaki is suspected of selling 31 illegal copies to three male company employees in the Saitama city of Kazu last October. The suspect also allegedly sold 5 unauthorized DVD-R copies of Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team to a male in Tochigi, another prefecture near Tokyo, for 5,320 yen (US$46.20) around October 23. Around October 27, he is suspected of selling 13 unauthorized DVD-R copies of Sgt. Frog to a Yokohama female for 7,320 yen (US$63.60). Sets of 08th MS Team and Sgt. Frog have suggested retail prices in Japan of 25,200 (US$219.00) and 51,870 yen (US$450.80), respectively.
Source: Nikkan Sports, IT Media, AV Watch
