Do airport authorities in Japan check for pirated softwares?
I will be leaving for Japan on the 20th and am just curious if airports in Japan(particularly Narita) check for pirated softwares, mp3s or movies. Plus, is it safe for my laptop and portable harddisk to be scanned at the airport? thanks a lot for the information
Japan - 6 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
I've never had an issue having my laptop scanned at an airport. I've never lost anything on my hard drive. I do keep it in a laptop case though. Getting caught with pirated software? I guess that depends on how thorough security wants to be. Sometimes guards might act like the class tattle tail. I wouldn't break laws in another country. Your American rights may not follow you. Good luck!
Answer 2 :
Probably not. They don't have time for a forensic scan. There are bigger problems: 1. Some software is not approved for foreign sale - usually because of encryption issues. This may not be a problem entering Japan, but could be a problem returning home. 2. You may be asked to prove prior ownership of the computer on returning home if it was made outside of your home country. There is a form you can fill out before you leave. 3. Some files may be illegal in other countries. 4. Some foreign security services will attempt to install malware on your computer (probably not an issue in Japan). The basic common sense rule on taking a computer into a foreign country is to not take anything you mind losing. Buy an external drive before leaving home and back up everything before you go.
Answer 3 :
I have never had them check anything, and they may require you to turn on your laptop, but they are not looking for movies. It is safe to scan your laptop, but they usually want to see it operate.
Answer 4 :
leaving your home country: they will scan your computer - no worries there. You may be asked to turn it on (very remote chance) just to see it works. No one will check contents arriving in Japan: no one cares about computer leaving Japan: see leaving your home country arriving home: no one cares about computer On a more ethical question: why download illegal software/movies/mp3? those items are the copyright of their respective owners and all you are doing is stealing. It may seem OK as you do not see the person you hurt but it is theft
Answer 5 :
If you think about this for a second. Will a custom officer stop you and say "lets have a look at the software you have. Are they legal"? no one has time for all that. They will scan/check you for the usual stuff
Answer 6 :
i think they will not check it
Read More Discussions :
