Overseas versions in Japan?

[_CREA_]

First thing, I have to say that I'm SO sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I had absolutely NO idea where to put it.


Anyway, my question is...what happens if you have overseas versions in Japan?

Like...a lot of my Japanese CDs are overseas releases from either Taiwan or Korea...and they have all those messages on them saying how they absolutely can NOT be sold in Japan. I'm in the US, and I've ordered them while living here.

So, if I went to Japan and want to bring my music with me, would I get into any sort of trouble? It's not like I bought them while living there, but still...

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[T-Z333]

That's a good question... But I think nothing would happen because, if we came to see, most DVDs say "To be sold and for use only in x, y and z..." and still you can bring them anywhere with no problems.... I don't think police will go after you only because you bought something in Korea and brought it to Japan when you moved.

[jerms]

your not BUYING htem there, you just have them. if i were you though, i'd leave them at home and bring burned copies.


im not sure about the forum though. either this one or asian music.

[tl1029530921]

guards might think that you're trying to sell the CDs here or something..:-/

[_CREA_]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

@ T-Z333: That was basically my logic, but obviously I could still think of some problems that could occur regardless.

@ jerms: I thought of the burned copies thing...but wouldn't that be pretty bad too? Then they'd think I downloaded it all, or got them all from someone else or something.

@ tl1029530921: Oooh, yeah, I actually hadn't thought of that...so now there's the problem of owning them, and then the problem of people thinking you'll sell them illegally...

Maybe there's someone from Japan who could give an opinion on this, or someone who's been there...? Any more help would be great.

Thanks again.

[T-Z333]

Originally Posted by tl1029530921

guards might think that you're trying to sell the CDs here or something..:-/

That's if they're sealed, if they're NEW. If they're opened/used, then there should be no problem... Plus, who would want an overseas version if s/he can buy the japanese one?

[extepan]

i read an article about this exact same issue a few months ago.....i cant remember which magazine but it is an international one...

the article says that, now in japan there are a lot of people selling OS version of cds in japan, because the price is much cheaper and can hence attract more customers. many japanese don mind buying the OS version either as the poduct is basically the same. under the current japanese law, there is no law the prohibits the sales of parallel imports. the OS versions are legal products and hence they cannot be confiscated as counterfeits. hence japanese recond companies can not do anything about it.

In fact, most countries do not have laws against parallel imports.

[nmskalmn]

How many CDs are we talking about? If you are only bringing a few among your personal luggage I doubt anyone would notice or ask.

[T-Z333]

Originally Posted by nmskalmn

How many CDs are we talking about? If you are only bringing a few among your personal luggage I doubt anyone would notice or ask.

Exactly. Police will surely be a lot more focused into drugs, alcoholic drinks or illegal stuff as to worry about music Cds...

[_CREA_]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

@ extepan: That's really good to know, if it's true. I wish I could read the original article too. My only problem is that, as I said, the packaging of the overseas versions has print on it reading very blatantly that the sale of those products is prohibited in Japan. Whether or not this includes legal importing of the products, I don't know. That's why I'm wary.

@ nmskalmn: Well, I'm not going to Japan any time soon, I'm looking at things in the long run at the moment. I plan on going there for at least a relatively lengthly span of time at one point, and I would like to have my whole collection with me...which is rather large. My Ayumi collection alone is 15 CDs, only 6 of which are Japan versions, and I don't have many other Japan versions besides those. My total collection...well, plus the 9 Ayumi CDs that are overseas, I think I have around another 18 that are overseas ones (and then also the Japanese versions, and then some of the domestically released ones that I'm not too concerned with). If I wanted to bring everything with me, something tells me I'd probably have a problem.

@ T-Z333: That's true, but having just so many CDs with me might catch a lot of attention. Unless...I could bring a certain amount with me and then have a friend send me the rest of mine in the mail.

Thanks again for the input everyone!

[extepan]

Originally Posted by _CREA_

Thanks for the feedback guys.

@ extepan: That's really good to know, if it's true. I wish I could read the original article too. My only problem is that, as I said, the packaging of the overseas versions has print on it reading very blatantly that the sale of those products is prohibited in Japan. Whether or not this includes legal importing of the products, I don't know. That's why I'm wary.

crea:

i dont have the original article cos i read it on the magazine on a plane...i didnt take the magazine with me

[gakkun]

It's illegal to sell OS CDs in Japan. Japanese law bans the sales of these CDs until 5 years after their release.

[_CREA_]

Originally Posted by gakkun

It's illegal to sell OS CDs in Japan. Japanese law bans the sales of these CDs until 5 years after their release.

Even if they're legally imported? Hm.

Well, the way things are for me, it could easily be 5+ years before I can get there (at least with plans of staying for more than a vacation) anyway. And it's not like any of my overseas versions are brand-brand-new at the moment anyway. So if that's true, that would work out well, to be safe.

Still, more feedback is much appreciated!

[tommy96814]

os version will affect japanese version sales if sold there. also cuz it is cheaper. u can just leave it in your cd player or something. or hide all ur os cds in a spindle of blank cdrs lol

[jerms]

@ jerms: I thought of the burned copies thing...but wouldn't that be pretty bad too? Then they'd think I downloaded it all, or got them all from someone else or something.

not really, if you own the original copy. but still, i doubt it matters if u possess them there.

[extepan]

it is not illegal to sell OS versions in japan, as far as i know.
the warnings have no legal powers