October 18, 2026

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Japan Government To Tackle Copyright Infringement


Japan’s government has announced a draft revision of the country’s copyright law, which will be in line with the broad agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. As part of the revision, the Government has decided to allow for the prosecution of copyright infringement without the need for a formal complaint from the original creator or rightsholder.

In Japan, copyright violation is currently considered as a “shinkokuzai” – an offense that can only be prosecuted when a victim complains.

The draft will also include a change in the copyright protection period from the current 50 years to 70 years after the original creator’s death.

The government plans to submit the draft revision at a Diet (Parliament) session in late March.

 

Source: Music Industry News