Defendant

Prosecutor

Park Ho-young

Attorney Ha Young-young (Korean)

Jeonju District Court Decision 2009Gohap434 Decided August 11, 2009

The judgment of the court below is reversed.

Defendant shall be punished by a fine of KRW 300,000.

When the defendant fails to pay the above fine, the defendant shall be confined in a workhouse for the period converted by 50,000 won into one day.

In order to order the provisional payment of an amount equivalent to the above fine.

1. Summary of the facts charged and the judgment of the court below

The summary of the facts charged in the instant case is “Baleet” in front of “Balet,” located in Jeonju City from May 2008 to September 16, 2008, the Nonindicted Party, without being registered with the competent authority, provided the said Nonindicted Party with an electric game providing the said Nonindicted Party with one unit of the Creree Game, thereby allowing a large number of unspecified persons to conduct the said game, and received KRW 50,000 per month out of the profits therefrom. Accordingly, the Defendant conspired with the Nonindicted Party and operated the juvenile game providing business without being registered with the competent authority.”

As to this, the court below found the defendant not guilty on the ground that the term "game products" under Article 2 subparagraph 1 of the Game Industry Promotion Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Game Industry Promotion Act") is defined as "video products" produced so that they can play a game using information processing technology, such as computer programs, or a mechanical device to enhance the use of leisure time, learning and physical exercise effects, etc., or "the apparatus or device produced for the main purpose of using such video products", and on the premise that the concept element of "game products" should include "video products", it cannot be viewed as "game products" under the above Act, because it is unrelated to the video products, and therefore it does not require permission or registration under the above Act in the installation or provision for use of the above game products. Thus, the facts charged of this case, which installed and provided a game machine without registering it, is not a crime or there is no proof thereof.

2. Summary of grounds for appeal;

The court below understood the definition of "game products" as the key elements of "game products" in Article 2 subparagraph 1 of the Game Industry Act by interpreting the definition of "game products" as ① video products produced so that they can play a game by making use of data processing technology, such as computer programs, or a mechanical device to raise leisure time, learning, and physical exercise effects, or ② apparatus and device produced so as to allow them to play a game by using data processing technology or mechanical device, such as computer programs, or to enhance leisure time, learning, physical exercise effects, etc.; ② It is reasonable to interpret the definition of "game products" as the main elements of "game products" in such a way as to enable them to play a game by using information processing technology or mechanical device, such as computer programs, or to enable them to play a game by making use of information processing technology or mechanical device, such as computer programs, or ② It is reasonable to interpret the meaning of "game products" as the main elements of the above Act or to enable them to play a game by using information processing technology or mechanical device, such as computer programs, or to interpret the meaning of "public game products" as the above.

Therefore, in accordance with such interpretation, although the term "game product manufactured to play a game" and can be seen as "game product" under the Game Industry Act, the court below rendered a judgment not guilty of the facts charged in the case of this case since the court below rendered a judgment not to fall under "game product" under the above Act. Thus, the court below erred by misapprehending the legal principles and affected the conclusion of the judgment.

3. Judgment of the court below

A. The issues of the instant case

The summary of the facts charged of the instant case is that the Defendant, in collusion with the Nonindicted Party, installed and operated the instant tea game without registering it with the competent authority, and the premise is that the instant tea game machine is a game product required to be registered with the competent authority under the Game Industry Act, and the Defendant asserts that the instant tea game machine does not constitute a game product under the said Act, and thus, it does not need to be registered with the competent authority.

Therefore, the issue of the instant case is whether the instant ready-style game machine is a game product under the Game Industry Act.

(b) the relevant regulations;

(1) Relevant provisions of the Game Industry Act

Article 2 (Definitions)

1. The term "game products" means video products produced so that one can play a game by making use of data processing technology, such as computer programs, or a mechanical device for making good use of leisure time, raising the effect of learning and physical exercise incidental thereto, or apparatus and devices produced for the main purpose of using such video products: Provided, That any of the following shall be excluded:

(a) Speculative game products;

(b) Things subject to regulation of tourism business under Article 3 of the Tourism Promotion Act;

(c) Others determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which are mixed with game products and game products;

6. The term "game providing business" means a business providing game products so that the public may use such products: Provided, That any of the following cases shall be excluded:

(a) Where a person conducts casino business under the Tourism Promotion Act;

(b) Where a person provided with speculative instruments performs speculative acts under the Act on Special Cases concerning Regulation and Punishment of Speculative Acts, Etc.;

(c) Where a person provides game products according to the type, method or other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, where he/she conducts business other than those provided for in subparagraphs 4 through 8 and enables customers at the relevant place of business to use game products for the purpose of inducing customers, advertising or such;

(d) Businesses providing Internet computer game facilities pursuant to subparagraph 7;

(e) Where a rating classification is refused because a person constitutes a speculative game product pursuant to Article 22 (2) and provides game products;

6-2. Businesses providing game products and the necessary facilities at a specific physical location among the game providing businesses referred to in subparagraph 6 shall be as follows:

(a) Juvenile game providing business: Business of providing the general public with game products permitted for use by installing game products permitted for use by all among the game products rated pursuant to Article 21;

(b) General game providing business: Business of providing the general public with game products not permitted for use by juveniles and game products permitted for use by all, among the game products classified pursuant to Article 21;

Article 26 (Permission for Game Providing Business, etc.)

(2) A person who intends to conduct a juvenile game providing business or a business providing Internet computer game facilities shall register with the head of a Si/Gun/Gu after meeting the facilities prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Provided, That where a person who provides game products through the information and communications network obtains permission, files a report,

Article 45 (Penal Provisions)

Any person who falls under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than two years or by a fine not exceeding twenty million won:

2. A person who conducts business without obtaining permission or making registration, in violation of Article 25 or 26 (1), (2) and the main sentence of Article 26 (3);

(2) Legislative history of the definition of “game products”

○ The Sound Records, Video Products and Game Software Act, enacted by Act No. 5925 of February 8, 199 (hereinafter “The Sound Records, Video Products and Game Software Act”).

Article 2 (Definitions)

3. The term "game products" means video products produced to play a game by computer programs (whether or not they are fixed to tangible objects) and other game apparatuses installed and operated in game providing establishments for amusement;

○ The Food and Drug Act, amended by Act No. 6473 of May 24, 2001

Article 2 (Definitions)

3. The term "game products" means video products and apparatuses produced so as to allow a person to play a game by making use of data processing technology, such as computer programs, or a mechanical device for making good use of leisure time, raising the effect of learning and physical exercise incidental thereto: Provided, That each of the following items shall be excluded:

(a) Those subject to discipline pursuant to other Acts and subordinate statutes;

(b) Game products mixed with those other than game products and those publicly notified by the Minister of Culture and Tourism as deemed unnecessary to be regulated as game products.

○ Game Industry Act enacted by Act No. 7941 of April 28, 2006

Article 2 (Definitions)

1. The term "game products" means video products produced so that one can play a game by making use of data processing technology, such as computer programs, or a mechanical device for making good use of leisure time, raising the effect of learning and physical exercise incidental thereto, or apparatus and devices produced for the main purpose of using such video products: Provided, That any of the following shall be excluded:

(a) Speculative game products;

(b) Things subject to regulation of tourism business under Article 3 of the Tourism Promotion Act;

(c) Others determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which are mixed with game products and game products;

C. Determination on issues

A penal provision shall be strictly interpreted and applied in accordance with the language and text, and shall not be excessively expanded or analogically interpreted in the direction unfavorable to the defendant. However, in the interpretation of a penal provision, a teleological interpretation in consideration of the legislative intent, purpose, legislative history, etc. of the law shall not be excluded unless it goes beyond the ordinary meaning of the text of the law (see, e.g., Supreme Court Decisions 2007Do2162, Jun. 14, 2007; 2002Do2363, Jan. 10, 2003; 2001Do2819, Feb. 21, 2002; 2001Do2819, Feb. 21, 2002). If a reasonable interpretation standard can be found in terms of the legislative purpose, overall contents, structure, etc. of the penal provision that requires the clarity of the penal provision, it does not violate the principle of no punishment without law (see, e.g., Supreme Court en banc Decision 93Do686, Jan.

Therefore, in full view of the following circumstances recognized through a teleological interpretation that takes into account the literary interpretation of the above-mentioned relevant provisions and the legislative intent, purpose, legislative history, etc. of the said provisions, the instant U.S. equipment constitutes “game products” as prescribed by the Game Industry Act.

(1) Article 2 subparag. 1 of the Game Industry Act defines the term “game products” as “video products” with information processing technology, such as computer programs, or apparatus and devices produced for the main purpose of using such video products, or increasing leisure time, learning, and physical effects,” and it is problematic whether the term “game products” includes ① the above video products, ② the apparatus and devices produced for the main purpose of using such video products, or ③ the apparatus and devices produced for the main purpose of using such video products, ③ the main purpose of interpreting the above provision as “video products” includes the concept of “video products” and the concept of “video products” manufactured for the main purpose of using such video products. However, according to the above provision’s interpretation, it is difficult to interpret that the term “video products” includes both the concept of “video products” and “video products” with the concept of “video products” produced for the purpose of using such video products, including ① the apparatus and devices manufactured for the purpose of using them, ② the concept of “video products” and the concept of “video products” as “video products” as their key elements.

(2) 위 ‘게임물’에 관한 정의규정의 입법연혁을 살펴보면, ① 1999. 2. 8. 법률 제5925호로 음비게법이 제정되면서, ‘게임물’의 개념에 관하여 ‘컴퓨터프로그램에 의하여 오락을 할 수 있도록 제작된 영상물(유형물에의 고정여부를 가리지 아니한다)과 오락을 위하여 게임제공업소 내에 설치·운영하는 기타 게임기구’라고 정의(이하 ‘게임물에 대한 제1번 정의’라고 한다)하였다가, ② 2001. 5. 24. 법률 제6473호로 위 음비게법이 전부개정되면서, ‘게임물’에 대한 정의규정도 ‘컴퓨터프로그램 등 정보처리 기술이나 기계장치를 이용하여 오락을 할 수 있게 하거나 이에 부수하여 여가선용, 학습 및 운동효과 등을 높일 수 있도록 제작된 영상물 및 기기’로 개정(이하 ‘게임물에 대한 제2번 정의’라고 한다)되었고, ③ 2006. 4. 28. 법률 제7941호로 게임산업법이 제정되고 위 음비게법이 폐지되면서 위 게임산업법에서 ‘게임물’을 ‘컴퓨터프로그램 등 정보처리 기술이나 기계장치를 이용하여 오락을 할 수 있게 하거나 이에 부수하여 여가선용, 학습 및 운동효과 등을 높일 수 있도록 제작된 영상물 또는 그 영상물의 이용을 주된 목적으로 제작된 기기 및 장치’로 규정(이하 ‘게임물에 대한 제3번 정의’라고 한다)한 이래 현재까지 위 정의규정이 계속되고 있다. 그런데 이러한 입법연혁 및 그 취지 등을 면밀히 검토해 볼 때, ① 2001. 5. 24. 법률 제6473호로 게임물에 대한 정의규정을 개정할 당시 그 취지에 대하여는, 게임물에 대한 제1번 정의규정이 ‘전단부는 매체의 성격이 설명되다가 후단부에는 장소개념이 결합된 개념으로 모호하게 규정되어 있어 부적절한 측면이 있고, 위와 같은 규정에 의할 때 크레인게임기(인형뽑기) 등이 게임물이 아닌 것으로 문리적 해석을 하는 것이 가능한 주1) 모순 이 존재하게 되어 이를 게임물로 인정하는 근거를 마련한 것’이라고 주2) 설명 되고 있으나, 게임산업법을 제정하고 음비게법을 폐지하면서 게임물에 대한 제2번 정의를 게임물에 대한 제3번 정의로 변경하여 규정할 당시에는 그 입법취지 등에서 위 게임물에 대한 제2번 정의규정의 문제점이 발견되었다거나 게임물에 대한 제2번 정의규정에서 특정 부분을 제외할 필요가 있어 게임물에 대한 개념을 축소시킨다는 입법목적 등은 없었던 것으로 보이는 주3) 점, ② 물론 게임산업법 제정 당시 종전의 위 제2번 정의규정의 해석에 의하더라도 이 사건 크레인게임기에 대하여 게임물에 해당하는 것으로 볼 수 있음에도 그 정의규정상의 “영상물 및 기기” 부분을 “영상물 또는 그 영상물의 이용을 주된 목적으로 제작된 기기 및 장치”로 변경하여 게임산업법의 규율대상이 되는 게임물의 범위를 영상물이라는 개념요소를 전제조건으로 요구하는 방향으로 좁히려는 취지를 나타낸 것은 아닌가 하는 의문이 들 수도 있으나, 현행 게임산업법상의 게임물 정의규정(위 제3번 정의규정)의 조문구조 및 형식, 내용을 면밀히 관찰할 때 종전의 위 제2번 정의규정상의 “영상물”과 “및 기기” 사이에 “또는 그 영상물의 이용을 주된 목적으로 제작된 기기”라는 부분이 추가되고 종전의 정의규정상의 “기기”가 “장치”로 변경된 사정을 알 수 있는바, 앞서 본 바와 같은 입법변천과정에 비추어 위 추가된 부분은 위 제2번 정의규정상의 “영상물” 개념에 유형물에 고정되지 아니한 영상물 자체는 아니더라도 그 영상물의 이용을 주된 목적으로 제작된 기기가 게임물에 포함됨을 분명히 하고자 하는 입법목적이 있었던 것으로 보이고, 동시에 “기기”라는 표현의 동어반복을 피하고 기계장치를 이용하여 오락을 할 수 있게 제작된 기계 내지 도구를 계속 게임산업법의 규율대상으로 포섭하고자 특정한 장소에 장착되어 있는 기계, 도구, 설비라는 사전적 의미를 내포한 “장치”라는 표현으로 변경한 것으로 보이는 점, ③ 위 게임물에 대한 제2번 정의에 의할 때 크레인게임기는 ‘오락을 할 수 있게 제작된 기기’라고 볼 수 있어 게임물에 해당하게 되는바, 실제로 위 음비게법(법률 제6473호 이후 위 법 폐지까지)이 시행될 당시부터 크레인게임기에 대하여 위 법률에 의한 규율 및 처벌을 해 왔던 점, ④ 정부가 2008. 11. 28. 국회에 의안번호 제2317호로 제출하여 현재 국회에 계류 중인 게임산업법 전부개정안에 의하면, 종전의 게임물의 개념이 영상물, 기기 및 장치 등으로 한정되어 있어 다양한 형태의 게임물을 포섭하기 곤란하였으므로 게임물의 개념을 확대한다고 하면서, 그 개념을 ‘게임을 하게 할 목적으로 제작되어 공중이 이용할 수 있도록 제공되는 영상물, 프로그램, 도구, 기기 또는 장치를 말한다. 다만, 다음 각목의 어느 하나에 해당하는 경우는 제외한다. 가. 사행성게임물, 나. 「관광진흥법」에 의한 카지노기구, 다. 「사행행위 등 규제 및 처벌특례법」에 의한 사행기구 및 사행성 유기기구’라고 정의하고 있는바, 위 개정안에 의한다고 하더라도 ‘영상물’, ‘기기’ 및 ‘장치’가 ‘게임을 하게 할 목적으로 제작되어 공중이 이용할 수 있도록 제공되는’에 같이 수식을 받는 형식으로 규정되어 있고, ‘게임물’에 대한 개념에서 ‘영상물’이라는 요소를 그 핵심적인 징표로 파악하고 있지 않을 뿐만 아니라, 그 취지에 대한 설명에서도 종래 게임산업법에 의하면 ‘게임물’의 개념에서 ‘영상물’의 요소를 가지고 있지 않은 크레인게임기 등과 같은 게임물이 배제되었던 것을 전제로 하여 이에 대한 반성적 고려로서 ‘게임물’의 개념을 확대한다는 것이 아니라 종래 ‘게임물’의 개념이 ‘영상물, 기기, 장치 등’으로 한정되어 있어 다양한 게임물을 포섭하기 곤란하였음을 이유로 그 범위를 더 확대한다는 것이므로 종래의 ‘게임물’의 개념에 크레인게임기와 같이 ‘영상물’의 요소를 가지고 있지 않은 게임물도 당연히 포섭되는 것을 전제하고 있는 것으로 보이는 점 등을 알 수 있는바, 이러한 연혁적 고찰을 통해 볼 때, 현행 게임산업법에서 규율하는 ‘게임물’의 개념에서 종래 음비게법에 의하여 게임물에 포섭되었던 크레인게임기와 같이 ‘영상물’의 요소를 가지고 있지 않은 특정 게임물을 배제하고자 하는 의도가 있었던 것으로는 볼 수 없고, 오히려 위 ‘게임물’의 개념에 종래 음비게법에 의하여 게임물에 포섭되었던 ‘영상물 및 기기’가 모두 포함됨을 전제로, 영상물을 요소로 하는 다양한 형식의 기기를 추가한 것으로 보는 것이 타당하다고 보인다.

(3) Therefore, in light of the purpose of legislation and purpose, legislative history, mutual relationship, etc. of the provisions related to the Game Industry Act within the scope that does not go beyond the ordinary meaning of legal text, the concept of “game products” under the Game Industry Act includes ① video products produced so that they can play a game by making use of data processing technology, such as computer programs, or machine, or enhance the use of leisure time, learning and physical exercise effects, etc. incidental thereto, ② apparatus produced for the main purpose of using such video products, ③ apparatus produced for the purpose of making them play a game by using data processing technology or machine, such as computer programs, ③ apparatus produced for the purpose of making them play a game, or raising the effect of leisure time, learning and physical exercise incidental thereto, and these three concepts are deemed to be included. As such, the term “game game in this case,” among them, is deemed to fall under “a device manufactured for making it possible to play a game by using machine,” and even if the provisions on the game products under Article 2 subparag. 1 of the Game Industry Act concerning the definition of the game products under the Game Industry Act are somewhat possible and reasonable interpretation of general penal provisions.

D. Sub-determination

Therefore, according to the evidence duly adopted and examined by the court below, the defendant's act of installing and operating the cateral game of this case can be acknowledged without being registered with the competent authority in collusion with the non-indicted. Thus, all of the facts charged of this case are proven. Nevertheless, the court below found the defendant not guilty of the facts charged of this case or of the remaining defendant not guilty of the facts charged of this case on the premise that the cateral game of this case does not constitute game work under the Game Industry Act. Thus, the court below erred by misapprehending the legal principles, which affected the conclusion of the judgment.

4. Conclusion

Therefore, since the prosecutor's appeal is well-grounded, the judgment of the court below is reversed in accordance with Article 364 (6) of the Criminal Procedure Act, and it is again decided as follows.

In collusion with the Nonindicted Party, from May 2008 to September 16 of the same year, the Defendant: (a) in front of “Balebalet” in the Jeonsi-si (hereinafter omitted), the Nonindicted Party, without being registered with the competent authority; (b) provided the said Nonindicted Party with an electric game business to provide the said Nonindicted Party with one unit of the fixed-type game machine; (c) provided the said Nonindicted Party with the said game to allow many and unspecified persons to conduct the said game; and (d) provided the said game without being registered with the competent authority upon receiving KRW 50,000 per month, and (e) provided the said game providing business without being registered with the competent authority.

1. Each protocol concerning the suspect examination of the defendant and the non-indicted;

1. The author, the person in charge, and the defendant;

1. Scenic photographs;

1. Article relevant to the facts constituting an offense and the selection of punishment;

Article 45 subparagraph 2 of the Game Industry Promotion Act, Article 26 (2), Article 30 of the Criminal Act (Selection of Fines)

1. Detention in a workhouse;

Articles 70 and 69(2) of the Criminal Act

1. Order of provisional payment;

Article 334(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act

Judges Kim Jong-chul (Presiding Judge)

1) In line with the language and text of the above definition provision, the problem that is bound to be interpreted differently depending on whether a game falls under the category of game products is established within the game providing establishment of other game providing establishments, such as extracting figures from the type of the said definition provision.

Note 2) On July 2003, reference is to the definition of “game products” among the working manuals of the Sound Records, Video Products and Game Software Act (amended by Act No. 6473 of May 24, 2001) issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (see the legal interpretation guidelines on the main contents of the Sound Records, Video Products and Game Software Act).

Note 3) The Bill No. 174164 No. 174, the Bill No. 174164

4) There is no provision that can regulate the instant resort game machine in other laws except the Game Industry Act.