Japan considers modding save files or the entire console to be unfair competition. A new law aims to prevent this practice with fines or prison sentences.
What is it about? The Japanese government has now enacted a law to combat the modding of save files or the entire console. Some companies sell data tools that allow games or save files to be modified or they modify consoles to expand their capabilities.
Other modders prefer to spread fake news.
Modding is now considered illegal and can result in a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 5 million yen (approximately 40,400 euros).
Why is Japan against modding? According to the official website of the Japanese Association for Copyright of Computer Software, altering game data and consoles violates the country’s law against unfair competition. The Japanese government agency is responsible for protecting the content of game consoles and expands its regulations as needed.
In addition to modding, the new law has also declared data tools and save game editors, as well as unofficial software codes and keys, illegal. Specifically, this concerns software codes that are offered at online auctions or as downloads.
Has the law already been successful? According to Japanese gaming sites, there have already been first “victims” of the new anti-mod law. A manufacturer of editors no longer offers its products in Japan. This included tools that allowed players to use various cheats and codes.
The USA is also cracking down on mods:
