Japanese publishers slap Apple for distributing illegally scanned books

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 14 2010, 13:14

Usually whiter than white, Apple Inc. is being targeted by a group of Japanese publishers that claim the gadget giant is guilty of approving software applications that illegally distribute digital books and comics via its popular App Store.

According to the four Japanese publishers in question—Japan Book Publishers Association, Japan Magazine Association, Electronic Book Publishers Association of Japan, and Digital Comic Association—Apple is violating copyright protection by offering App Store users access to such pirated content.

“We have no choice but to deem it illegal that Apple Inc. distributes materials which clearly violate copyright,” outlined the consortium in a statement dispatched to Apple Japan. “The associations we represent believe that Apple bears grave responsibility for this problem.”

Although the statement outlines that some pirated content has been deleted in light of direct requests from authors and publishers, it also claims much of the illegally scanned content remains available to App Store users.

“We strongly request that Apple take responsible action,” it implored while encouraging Jobs & Co. to “sit at the same table” in order to “set new rules in the era of digital networks.”

In response to the consortium’s complaint, Apple Japan has said it “will promptly and appropriately respond to complaints about violations of copyright.” 

One of the illegally scanned and distributed books, 1Q84, belongs to 61-year-old Japanese author and Nobel literature prize nominee Haruki Murakami.

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