With the rise of YouTube and streaming platforms like Twitch, gaming-related content gained a lot of traction and became a stepping stone to fame for many internet personalities. That's why the case of Shinobu Yoshida, a YouTuber from Japan, who received a sentence for uploading videos about games and anime, caught attention.
In May 2023, Japanese authorities arrested the 52-year-old man after he uploaded a series of videos about the game Steins;Gate: My Darling's Embrace, as well as edited summaries of the anime series Spy × Family and Steins;Gate. He was accused of infringing copyright laws because he monetized the content he shared.
In a press release, the Content Overseas Distribution Agency (CODA), a group focused on copyright protection, stated that the accused had violated the law that prohibits making a profit from any copyrighted material.
The agency categorized the incident as a "malicious case of posting videos with content and spoilers without the permission of copyright holders (...) and unfairly obtaining advertising revenue through copyright infringement." According to reports, the prosecution classified Shinobu Yoshida's actions as "an act that tramples on the content production effort."
Japanese YouTuber Uploaded Videos with Game and Anime Spoilers; Receives Sentence
The 52-year-old defendant admitted to the charges in a hearing on August 2 and confessed that he "knew it was illegal while doing it." On September 7, he was found guilty in the Sendai District Court in Miyagi Prefecture. His sentence is likely to surprise many.
Shinobu Yoshida has been sentenced to 2 years in prison with a suspended sentence of 5 years, meaning he will not go to prison as long as he does not commit another crime during the 5-year period and meets other requirements. Additionally, he received a fine of ¥1,000,000 JPY (approximately $6,785 USD).
According to reports, the prosecution argued that because the videos contained spoilers for both the anime and the video game (which is a narrative-focused visual novel), consumers had less incentive to purchase the products.
“Although he knew he was infringing copyright, he still posted [the videos] to make a profit,” stated the Content Overseas Distribution Agency in a release. This is the first time someone has been convicted of copyright infringement related to gaming videos. CODA considers the verdict a "significant achievement."
But tell us, what do you think of this situation? Do you find the sentence unfair? Let us know in the comments.
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