The unexpected shutdown of two popular J-pop and K-pop download sites in August has been attributed to the actions of the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). As a collective representing 65 recording labels that hold significant sway in the Japanese market, the RIAJ has taken responsibility for the closure of these sites.
In addition to addressing the shutdown, the RIAJ has seized the opportunity to emphasize an important legal aspect regarding piracy in Japan. The association has reminded internet users that in Japan, the act of downloading pirated music is considered a criminal offense.
This proactive stance from the RIAJ underscores the seriousness with which copyright infringement is viewed in Japan’s music industry. By taking action against unauthorized distribution platforms and raising awareness about the legal implications of piracy, the association aims to protect the rights of artists, songwriters, and music labels while safeguarding the integrity of the music industry as a whole.
The RIAJ’s efforts reflect a broader trend among industry associations worldwide to combat online piracy and promote lawful consumption of creative content. Through enforcement measures, public education campaigns, and collaboration with stakeholders, organizations like the RIAJ play a pivotal role in upholding copyright laws and fostering a fair and sustainable digital ecosystem for music creators and consumers alike.
The sudden disappearance of Jpopmix.com and Kpoptap, two popular music piracy platforms specializing in J-pop and K-pop respectively, in August left users of Reddit and similar platforms lamenting their absence. While the reasons behind such disappearances can vary, it has now been officially confirmed that the demise of Jpopmix (and likely Kpoptap as well) was orchestrated by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).
Jpopmix, which focused on J-pop music, and its sister site Kpoptap, dedicated to K-pop from South Korea, vanished from the internet around August 20, with only Kpoptap leaving a farewell message: “GOOD BYE!”
The RIAJ, often likened to the Japanese counterpart of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), consists of approximately 65 member companies, including major labels such as Sony, Universal, and Warner. In an official statement, the RIAJ revealed that Jpopmix had been offering unauthorized downloads of music owned by its member companies without obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses. This infringement of copyright prompted the RIAJ to take action to shut down the platform.
In collaboration with the global music group IFPI, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) revealed that the operator of Jpopmix was repeatedly asked to remove infringing music from their website. However, when these requests were ignored, legal action was pursued. The labels involved went to court in the United States and obtained a DMCA subpoena to identify the site’s operator.
Subsequently, the RIAJ obtained an information disclosure order against Cloudflare, the content delivery network (CDN) used by Jpopmix, in order to identify the site administrator and hold them liable for illegal activities. While it’s unclear whether direct contact was made with the site’s operator, the site was shut down, possibly voluntarily once the owner learned of the legal actions taken against them.
The shutdown of Jpopmix’s sister site, Kpoptap, can be seen as an additional success for the RIAJ. The association intends to maintain pressure on pirate site operators, both locally and overseas, and plans to continue taking legal action against similar illegal sites.
The RIAJ also warned users about the legal consequences of downloading pirated music, emphasizing that it is a criminal offense in Japan. They highlighted the impact on artists and record companies and urged people to respect copyright laws and support legitimate channels for accessing music. The association pledged to continue efforts to combat piracy and contribute to the development of music culture.
Current RIAJ members
(Full Members)
Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
Jvckenwood Victor Entertainment Corp.
King Record Co., Ltd.
Teichiku Entertainment, Inc.
Universal Music Llc
Nippon Crown Co., Ltd.
Tokuma Japan Communications Co,.
Sony Music Labels Inc.
Pony Canyon Inc.
Warner Music Japan Inc.
Vap Inc.
B Zone, Inc.
Avex Entertainment Inc.
For Life Music Entertainment, Inc.
Yamaha Music Communications Co., Ltd.
Dreamusic Inc.
Yoshimoto Music Co., Ltd.
Bandai Namco Music Live Inc.
Associate Members
Nbcuniversal Entertainment Japan Llc
Pryaid Records Inc.
Johnny’S Entertainment Inc.
Ld&K Inc.
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
J Storm Inc.
Venus Records Inc.
Hats Unlimited Co., Ltd.
Naxos Japan, Inc.
A-Sketch Inc.
Village Again Association Co., Ltd.
Space Shower Networks Inc.
Warner Bros. Japan Llc
Rambling Records Inc.
Toho Co., Ltd.
Sdr Inc.
Kiss Entertainment Inc.
Croix Co.,Ltd.
P-Vine, Inc.
Toy’S Factory Inc.
Gifted Co., Ltd
Tanipromotion Co.,Ltd.
(Supporting Members)
Aniplex Inc.
T-Toc Records.
Ward Records, Inc.
Free Board Co., Ltd.
Holiday Japan Co., Ltd.
Tv Asahi Music Co., Ltd.
Nppdevelop Co., Ltd.
A-Force Entertainment. Inc.
Kino Music Co., Ltd
Spro Entertainment Inc.
Johnny’S Music Company Inc.
Be Bee Next Co., Ltd.
Ldh Japan Inc.
Ment Recording Inc.
Tv Tokyo Music, Inc.
King International Inc.
Bellwood Records Co., Ltd.
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Inc.
Sony Music Solutions Inc.
Avex Digital Inc.
Flyingdog, Inc.
Sony Music Artists Inc.
Columbia Marketing Co.,Ltd.
Avex Pictures Inc.
JIJIINC.
Total members: 65 (RIAJ data, April 2023)
