Japanese Publishers Say Apple App Store Has Pirated Books

A two-page view of the iPad's iBook

Chinese translations of the complete works of the best-selling Japanese authors like Haruki Murakami were recently selling on Apple’s App Store for a mere $1.99. Sound too good to be true? Four organizations representing Japanese publishers say there’s a reason for the rock-button prices: the works were pirated. The organizations today sent a complaint letter to Apple (NSDQ: AAPL).

The allegedly pirated books are Chinese translations of famous Japanese authors like Murakami and Keigo Higashino. According to the FT, the App Store contained a Chinese edition of the complete works of Murakami for $1.99. At the time this story was published, that app wasn’t available for purchase in either the U.S. or Chinese App Store.

The bootleg versions were available for iPhone and iPad, according to the publishers’ joint letter. The letter uses some strong language, saying that Apple is distributing material “that clearly infringes copyright… and this, in itself, must be deemed illegal.” Apple has a review process that developers must go through to place programs in its App Store, including a technical review and sometimes a legal review. That’s a contrast to the Android Marketplace, which is open to unvetted uploads from developers.

In addition to the Japan Book Publishers Association, the complaining parties include the Japan Magazine Publishers Association, the Electronic Book Publishers Association, and the Digital Comic Association. While the groups acknowledge that Apple has been responsive to some individual requests to remove pirated material, they complain in the letter that Apple is unclear about how many apps have been removed and what the process is to request a removal.

Responding to a request for comment on the letter, an Apple spokesperson told us that the App Store has more than 300,000 apps, and added: “As an IP holder ourselves, we understand the importance of protecting intellectual property. When we receive complaints, we respond promptly and appropriately.”

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