Japan drops ban on resale of used gear

Well, that's a relief. After months of back-and-forth, which included protests led by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, Japan's Trade Ministry has backed down on a new law that would have limited the resale of certain used electronic gear. The government had already relaxed some of the restrictions, which go into effect on April 1, declaring that resellers of musical instruments and some other products could be exempted from the most onerous of the new rules. Now, the rules have been completely relaxed for sellers of used products -- but only with a wink and a nod. Officially dealers won't actually be selling you anything. They'll just be "renting" it. Nudge, nudge. So, go ahead and buy all the old video games, vintage synthesizers and tube amps you want from that dude in Akihabara. And if he insists that you sign a rental agreement, go ahead and do it. Trust us, he's not gonna come knocking on your door in 10 years demanding that you give it back.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

[Mr. Umeadi @ Mar 27th 2006 3:04PM]

...."Because we stay fresh to death, We're the best, Nothin less..."

[Alcaron @ Mar 27th 2006 3:14PM]

Everybody be cool, this is a robbery!!!!

A GHETTO FUNK BREAKDANCE ROBBERY Y'ALL!!!!

Seriously...where do you find these hilarious pictures.

I bet his screen name is "TheKeyboardAssassin" maybe swap a few letters for number, I don't know.

[Mark Galvan @ Mar 27th 2006 3:32PM]

Bring on the Yellow Magic Ninja Tunes!

[Alexandre Donzel @ Mar 27th 2006 3:48PM]

now, those people at engadget have evil minds don't they...interpreting the law to their own advantage...tsss....

anyways, this law is now declared officially USELESS!
its totally pointless, seing as you can"rent" a synth or whatever TF u wanna get now and the vendor'l forget about u if u know what i mean (which u shld, unless you r a total dumbass

[ToxicDose @ Mar 27th 2006 4:26PM]

Even better. . .

You rent the stuff out, after 10 years ask for it back. For all of the stuff that you cannot get, write it off as a casualty loss on your taxes (assuming similar tax laws)

[Raymond @ Mar 27th 2006 4:40PM]

SWEET! I was worried about those vintage Japanese video games. now I'll just rent me a super famicom. I already have a Famicom and accompanying disk system.

[Brad Schmidt @ Mar 27th 2006 4:41PM]

FINALLY a proper use of the term DROPS!

[davecon @ Mar 29th 2006 6:20AM]

Yo, that slope is Funky Fresh!