Copyrights Law in Japan
Here’s a concise overview of copyright law in Japan:
📘 Legal Framework
Governed by the Copyright Act of Japan, first enacted in 1970 and amended several times to align with international standards.
Administered by the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
🧠 What Is Protected?
Literary works (books, articles, software)
Artistic works (paintings, sculptures, photographs)
Musical compositions and lyrics
Dramatic and choreographic works
Cinematographic films and audiovisual works
Sound recordings
Broadcasts and performances
Databases (if they exhibit creativity)
📅 Duration of Copyright
Life of the author + 70 years (since 2018 amendment).
For works with multiple authors, 70 years after the death of the last surviving author.
For anonymous or pseudonymous works, 70 years from publication.
For cinematographic works and posthumous works, similar terms apply.
Performers’ rights last 50 years from performance.
🌍 International Treaties
Japan is a member of:
Berne Convention
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)
TRIPS Agreement
⚖️ Rights Granted
Moral rights (right of attribution, integrity, and divulgence)
Economic rights (reproduction, distribution, public transmission, adaptation, etc.)
Moral rights cannot be transferred but economic rights can be assigned or licensed.
📝 Registration
Copyright arises automatically upon creation.
Japan provides a voluntary copyright registration system administered by the Japan Copyright Office for evidentiary purposes.
⚖️ Enforcement
Infringement cases can be pursued in civil and criminal courts.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, and criminal penalties (fines, imprisonment).
Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Copyright Act of Japan |
| Protected Works | Literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual |
| Duration | Life + 70 years; 50 years for performers |
| Registration | Voluntary, for evidentiary purposes |
| International Treaties | Berne, WCT, WPPT, TRIPS |
| Enforcement | Civil and criminal remedies |
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