Square Enix Announces Settlement in Movie Piracy Case
The company restates its aggressive anti-piracy policy.
(April 20, 2006) – LONDON - Square Enix Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based leading digital content company (“Square Enix”), announced today that it has reached a settlement in an infringement case involving its latest full-length DVD/UMD movie Final Fantasy® VII: Advent Children, and is stepping up its anti-piracy enforcement with aggressive initiatives being taken against individuals and organizations involved in the theft and unauthorized use of the company’s intellectual properties.
On April 17, 2006, Square Enix reached a confidential settlement with an infringer who uploaded to the Internet an unauthorized full-length copy of the DVD/UMD movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. For more information about the movie, check out http://www.square-enix-usa.com/dvd/ff7ac/. Shortly after the culprit uploaded the pirated copy of the movie to the Google Video website, Square Enix discovered the link and demanded that Google take down the copy. Google complied with Square Enix’s demand, and in accordance with U.S. copyright law, removed the illegal copy from the Google Video website. Square Enix then investigated, located, and prosecuted the culprit who uploaded the movie. On April 17, 2006, the culprit admitted that he illegally uploaded to the Google Video website a pirated copy of the movie, and he agreed to pay a confidential monetary sum to Square Enix for damages.
“In connection with the release of the movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, we are actively pursuing those who commit intellectual property infringement against our company,” said Yasuhiko Hasegawa, Square Enix’s General Manager of Legal Affairs. “Any illegal activities, including the illegal uploading of Square Enix content to Internet sites and the unauthorized copying of Square Enix games, music, movies, images, and other intellectual property, will be prosecuted. While Square Enix appreciates the enthusiasm of its fans, and values its relationship with them, it is also obligated to protect its intellectual property rights, or risk weakening or losing the very rights that enable the company to continue to provide its fans with an exciting entertainment experience.”
The much anticipated English-language-dubbed version of the movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be released in North America and the U.K. on April 25, 2006 and April 24, 2006, respectively. For more information regarding the upcoming releases, see http://www.square-enix-usa.com/dvd/ff7ac/.
On April 17, 2006, Square Enix reached a confidential settlement with an infringer who uploaded to the Internet an unauthorized full-length copy of the DVD/UMD movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. For more information about the movie, check out http://www.square-enix-usa.com/dvd/ff7ac/. Shortly after the culprit uploaded the pirated copy of the movie to the Google Video website, Square Enix discovered the link and demanded that Google take down the copy. Google complied with Square Enix’s demand, and in accordance with U.S. copyright law, removed the illegal copy from the Google Video website. Square Enix then investigated, located, and prosecuted the culprit who uploaded the movie. On April 17, 2006, the culprit admitted that he illegally uploaded to the Google Video website a pirated copy of the movie, and he agreed to pay a confidential monetary sum to Square Enix for damages.
“In connection with the release of the movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, we are actively pursuing those who commit intellectual property infringement against our company,” said Yasuhiko Hasegawa, Square Enix’s General Manager of Legal Affairs. “Any illegal activities, including the illegal uploading of Square Enix content to Internet sites and the unauthorized copying of Square Enix games, music, movies, images, and other intellectual property, will be prosecuted. While Square Enix appreciates the enthusiasm of its fans, and values its relationship with them, it is also obligated to protect its intellectual property rights, or risk weakening or losing the very rights that enable the company to continue to provide its fans with an exciting entertainment experience.”
The much anticipated English-language-dubbed version of the movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be released in North America and the U.K. on April 25, 2006 and April 24, 2006, respectively. For more information regarding the upcoming releases, see http://www.square-enix-usa.com/dvd/ff7ac/.
Companies:
Square Enix