Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs is launching a new system allowing creators to register their works and related information, aiming to enhance copyright management.
On the 26th, Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs will launch the 'Individual Creator Rights Information Registration System' that allows creators of music, novels, illustrations, photos, and anime to register their works and authorship information. By verifying their identity with a My Number Card, anyone can register details about their creations, including publication dates and usage permissions. This self-reporting system is designed on the principle of good faith, according to the agency, indicating trust in the honesty of the registrants.
Simultaneously, a cross-domain rights information search system will also begin, enabling access to information on various genres of works and the associated author organizations. When searching for creators who are part of an organization, users will be redirected to the URLs of groups that hold copyright information. This new system comes ahead of revisions to copyright law set to take effect on April 1, which will facilitate simple procedures for copyright processing when the usage status of works is unclear.
According to a 2022 estimate by the Creator Economy Association and Mitsubishi UFJ Research & Consulting, the number of creators in Japan exceeds 8 million. The recent advancements in AI technology have made it easier to produce pirated versions of others' copyrighted works, raising concerns about copyright infringements. This government-initiated registration and search system is being watched closely as a potential deterrent against such piracy, paving the way for better protection and management of intellectual property in the creative economy.
