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/.
About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix
Ltd.
With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd.
(Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes
entertainment content including interactive entertainment
software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and
Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling
franchises - FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 65 million
units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 40
million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one
of the most influential providers of digital entertainment
content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of
creativity and innovation.
Square Enix Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix
with offices in London. It handles operations in Europe and
other PAL territories including sales, marketing and
publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square
Enix Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com .
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FINAL FANTASY, DRAGON QUEST, and the SQUARE ENIX logo are
registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Contacts:
Alex Huhtala
Public Relations Manager
Square Enix Ltd.
Tel: +44(0)20 7291 5123
alexh@square-enix-europe.com