A UK resident has been sent down for 12 months after pleading guilty to illegally importing R4 cards.

Yun Can Meng got 12 months for importing not just one or two R4 carts but over 26,500. Chances are he was part of something big and illegal.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Association's (ELSPA) Crime Unit, Hull City Council Trading Standards Department and the Humberside Police all joined forces to deliver the hammer of justice in Hull Crown Criminal Court.

ELSPA team leader Michael Ralinson said, "Our crime unit is pleased with the outcome of this trial and pleased to see the Court of Appeal's copyright judgement is being robustly enforced. Intellectual property (IP) theft is an important issue for the country's videogames industry - as is protecting it."

Incidentally an R4 card allows the playing of "copyright infringing" (but not illegal) downloaded Nintendo DS games.

Copyright infringement (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works covered by copyright law, in a way that violates one of the copyright owner's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.

anything that infringes copyright is against the law.

Apparently, to claim copyright on your work in the US you have to register it with the government. Imagine having to register every single piece of original art, writing, photograph, music before you can legally claim it's yours.

do you know?

I don't know where you get your definition of illegal from, but anything that infringes copyright is against the law.



Jus' sayin'.

My understanding is that copyright is a civil not criminal law hence the distinction "copyright law", it only becomes criminal and therefore illegal if it's done on a large scale and/or for profit.

Use of the terms "illegal downloading" and "vioaltion" (rape) are attempts to demonise a practice that whilst (arguably) morally wrong is not strictly speaking criminal.

Illegal is illegal, only difference between criminal/civil law will be who takes you to court and the punishment. I think over 26,000 units for the purposes of playing material you do not own copyright or rights to is a large scale and for profit. Same for the hosting sites of these materials.

Civil matter you would be taken to the cleaners by the copyright owner... Nintendo have a lot more money than you and will probably win.

Criminal matter the CPS take you to jail. Simples.

It's not arguably morally wrong. It is wrong, it is gaining profit by dishonest methods and is as bad as fraud or theft. It's not a victimless crime by any means and the criminals then make it worse for the real customers and the companies selling the service.

The incident in point (especially as reported) was not criminal because R4's are legal, so the guy must have been convicted of something illegal like tax evasion, not copyright infringement because that's civil and doesn't result in a criminal record (yet), although it could lead to a criminal prosecution.

My understanding is that copyright is a civil not criminal law hence the distinction "copyright law", it only becomes criminal and therefore illegal if it's done on a large scale and/or for profit.

7. Restricted acts

It is an offence to perform any of the following acts without the consent of the owner:

Copy the work.

Rent, lend or issue copies of the work to the public.

Perform, broadcast or show the work in public.

Adapt the work.

The author of a work, or a director of a film may also have certain moral rights:

The right to be identified as the author.

Right to object to derogatory treatment.