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Korea Will Not Prosecute Personal Downloaders
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ office has recently set guidelines for accusing those who violate copyright laws via the Internet. Under the guidelines, the following users will be subject to criminal charges: 1) Internet users who illegally swap or circulate music files for commercial purposes; 2) web surfers who intentionally encourage others to illegally download music files; and 3) users who illegally download music files for making compact discs (CD) to sell. Nonetheless, the guidelines permit individuals to download music files for their own personal entertainment.
These guidelines have been implemented as a measure to: 1) save the judiciary the costs of investigating about 10,000 Internet users; 2) prevent police and prosecutors from breaching human rights by probing Internet users beyond their authority; and 3) prevent teenagers from having criminal records. It is estimated that, under the guidelines, approximately 13,000 Internet users will be freed from criminal prosecution.
For additional information, visit:
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200601/kt2006011616503411990.htm