In Japan, free BitTorrent porn downloads bring legal trouble and fines
Japanese BitTorrent users who thought they were simply downloading adult videos for free are increasingly receiving court notices and demands for hundreds of thousands of yen, as copyright holders step up efforts to identify users through their IP addresses. One self-employed man in his 40s living in Tokyo began using the file-sharing software after reading about it online. He would start…
In Japan, individuals who download adult videos via the BitTorrent file-sharing platform are facing legal consequences and hefty fines. Self-employed men in their 40s, like a Tokyo resident, have begun using the software after reading about it online. They download large quantities of videos without paying, then disable the software to avoid detection.
In May, the man in Tokyo received court letters identifying him by name, address, and phone number. A lawyer representing a video production company then demanded 500,000 yen (US$3,200) for civil or criminal action. The man initially thought it was a scam but realized it was genuine after checking the documents. He sought legal advice and decided to treat the matter seriously.
Cases involving payment demands for alleged copyright infringement linked to adult videos have been increasing in Japan. Applications for orders to disclose identifying information filed with the Tokyo District Court rose from 814 in 2023 to 5,320 in 2025. A communications ministry survey found that 95.6% of disclosure requests in 2024 concerned alleged copyright infringement involving adult videos.
Video production companies have implemented systems to identify IP addresses of suspected copyright infringers, leading to court orders to reveal user information. The Tokyo communication ministry has warned against casual use of file-sharing software due to ongoing disputes over payment demands. Lawyers advise against ignoring settlement demands, as rights holders can pursue criminal penalties if ignored.
Lawyers emphasized that users who install and configure BitTorrent software demonstrate deliberate intent, making infringement more serious. However, they also stated that rights holders do not automatically seek court actions or criminal penalties if users respond sincerely and have mitigating circumstances.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
