According to this article, a new law has been passed in Japan, where an individual can face up to two years in prison and pay fines for possessing illegally downloaded music. Japan is trying to follow the success of Korea, where laws require one to “send notices to users who illegally download music, with 70% of infringers stopping after first notification”. (IFPI)

Ever since Professor David Silver gave his lecture on business ethics, I have been intrigued by the topic. Those in the music industry would argue that piracy is unethical. However, one of the solutions taken to prevent piracy in the US is SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), which will prevent people from visiting certain cites. Many would argue that censorship limits one’s freedom of speech, and therefore is unethical. The question is: who is right?

Many equivocate piracy to theft, and numerous countries have started to take action against it, which is something I personally support. I think the new law passed in Japan should be something other countries consider. Without limiting individuals to do anything legal, those who break the law will pay the price for their lack of ethics. At the same time, I believe it is important for those who attempt to prevent piracy to consider their methods of doing so, so as not to lose any customers.