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Japanese website closed after screenshot-related arrest

Strange news from the Far-East

Reports this morning inform us of the rather troubling news from Japan that the owner and Editor of popular online gaming site Gamesonline, one of Japan's most popular news sites, has been arrested for alleged breach of copyright concerning screenshots used on his website. The webmaster was deemed to have fallen foul of Japanese copyright law having used hundreds of videogame images taken from overseas press and online media without the permission of the games publishers in question (an offence under Japanese law).

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The games publishers in question: SNK Playmore, Capcom, Square Enix, and Namco, allegedly pressed charges after finding 'offending' screenshots on Gamesonline, though other publishers had given their permission for some of the images featured. Before its closure, Gamesonline was a profit making website funded by advertising.

This unprecedented arrest and site closure has apparently come as a genuine shock to the Japanese gaming media, and it's not surprising given that the role such sites fulfil in promoting company's titles would surely suggest that to arrest and close in such a fashion is counter-productive, though further details on the vagaries of the case might present a different view. More as we get it.

1. So... will the Japanese show some testicular fortitude and boycott these game companies?

   Eponymous Cowturd Friday, 28 May 2004, 14:39:3

2. that sucks

   chompy Friday, 31 December 2004, 23:25:57

3. oi

   leo s.c Tuesday, 10 January 2006, 00:33:55

4. Many interesting information on your site - keep up good work

   Alberto Tuesday, 4 September 2007, 23:13:0

5. %0D%0A%0D%0AInteresting+web+page+is%2C+i%5C%27ll+see+you+later+one+more+timen

   Erika Thursday, 6 September 2007, 15:01:36

6. Very good site! I like it! Thanks!0

   Andrea Friday, 7 September 2007, 09:16:44