Nintendo is a company which has for a long time been in battle against piracy, and today they have won that battle in Japan where a new law put in motion forbids modification of consoles.
As a result of this law a man offering modifications to other peoples Nintendo Wii consoles has been arrested by police in Fukuoka. According to reports the man is 41-years-old and unemployed, and one way to make an “income” was to make modifications, and specifically towards Nintendo Wii consoles, which he more than generously did at only the low price of only ¥1,000 ($13~).
What made the 41-year-old man arrested was the move to publicate his business on Yahoo Auctions where he also successfully managed to find three interested people, where he did not only offered to modify their Wii consoles but also according to reports sell 5 copied games. Once the man was arrested he did not deny any of the accusations against him.
The law in itself seems to only stretch itself to console modification and DVD ripping. But also curiously leaves room for “private” modifications. Presumably if used homebrew purposes only. WHilst it does still allow for console modifications in a private environment, it does not allow for any kind of DVD ripping. If this law is provoked one can expect to face a maximum sentence of 3 years and 3 million yen in fines.
