Background
Isamu Kaneko experimentally created 'Winny' which has more efficiency than previous anonymous P2P software such as Freenet. Winny has anonymous efficient file-sharing feature. Winny was getting very famous with helps of websites or books which teach how to use, although Winny was made for a research purpose and usage is very difficult for normal users.
Isamu warned not to share illegal things. But some users abused Winny, also some major publishers published books and magazines which sensationally incite share illegal files on Winny network. Copyright holders concerned the situation and extensively investigate to identify illegal users. November 2003, two users were arrested for violating copyright by Kyoto prefectural police.
Six months later, 2004 May 10, Isamu Kaneko was arrested for 'assisted two illegal users by created Winny'. We consider the arrest is arbitrary and unlawful.
History and Status
Status
Now under detention in Kyoto prefectural police.
2002
- April 1: Isamu announced to start development of Winny.
- May: Beta version of Winny was released.
- December 30: Winny was released.
2003
- August 8: A virus which infect through Winny network was appeared.
- November 28: Two users of Winny was arrested for illegal file uploading. Isamu's house was searched.
2004
- March 29: Confidential information of Kyoto prefectural police were leaked from the virus infected PC.
- March,April: Confidential information of Hokkaido police, Japanese army, and Japan Post were leaked through Winny network.
Arrest
- May 10
- Kyoto prefectural police arrested Isamu Kaneko. Also they searched his home, then seiged his PC and books.
- An author of Winny related website was searched too.
- May 11: Isamu's office in Tokyo university was searched.
- May 12:
- Detention was allowed.
- Defending team (10 Lawyers) were going to defend him.
- May 14:
- Lawyers stated the arrest is unlawful.
- Reason of detention was made public by the court. The judge said there is a reasonable doubt that Isamu is going to destory evidents. But the judge failed to answer what and how.
- Lawyers appellate against detention.
- May 15: Appellate was declined.