From: <ji2016@columbia.edu>
  To  : <CPC@emoglen.law.columbia.edu>
  Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 04:27:04 -0400

"broadcast flag" in Japan

Dear Eben's classmates,

After graduating SIPA this May, I am now going back to Tokyo.

During my two-year absence here, Japanese Government has already
introduced the same digital rights protection like "broadcast
flag," for digital broadcasting.

Surprisingly enough, the contents distributed via digital
broadcasting (regardless of terrestrial, sateliite, or cable) are
protected by encryption for just recording "once." Plus, those
copied contents (mostly in DVD-RAM or staff like that) could not be
shared with peers. Incredible.

I thought I understood the basic legal difference between Japan and
the US. Still I must say I was really surprised that, with almost
few public debate, such a important legislation has been introduced
almost only within the discussion among governement authorities (in
this case, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) and the
incumbent content industry. What a shame!

Hence, for Japanese who have interests in digital copying
legislation, the decivion on broadcast flag by DC Circuit this May
moved them as the US democratic conscience protecting the First
Amendment value. I heard lots of Japanese here admiring the
decision.

I am not sure how many people would have interests in Japan's case,
but I would like to report them as much as possbile, in order to
share the issues and figure out what is the underlying, essential
problems regardless of nationality.

Thank you for your attention.

Best regards,

Jun

****************************
Junichi IKEDA
MPA, class of 2005
School of International and Public Affairs
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

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