Since 1939 when we first began providing musical copyright administration in Japan as a non-profit organization, JASRAC served as Japan's sole musical copyright administration society for over 70 years. However, the October 2001 enactment of the Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights and the relaxing of requirements to conduct a copyright administration business from obtaining permission to simply registering with the Agency for Cultural Affairs opened the door for many commercial enterprises to enter the business of musical copyright management. Now for the first time in our history, JASRAC is operating in a competitive environment. Boasting extensive experience and an impressive record of achievements in the administration of music copyrights, JASRAC has long asserted that centralized copyright administration is best conducted by an association that is capable of pursuing ideals in copyright administration from the perspectives of both the rights owners and the music users. Now under the Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights, our philosophy still remains unchanged. JASRAC will continue to administer music copyrights for the dissemination and development of music culture.
New Choices for Rights Owners One of the objectives of the Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights was to broaden the scope of selection for copyright owners and give them the freedom to either entrust the administration of their copyrights to the entity of their choice or even conduct self-management of their rights. To comply with the new law, JASRAC amended the contents of the "Stipulations for Copyright Trust Contract" by which lyricists, composers, music publishing companies and other copyright holders entrust the administration of their copyrights to JASRAC. Previously copyright holders were required to entrust JASRAC with the administration of performing rights, reproduction rights, and all other musical copyrights. However, while copyright holders still, in principle, entrust all their derivative rights to JASRAC under the revised "Stipulations for Copyright Trust Contract", it is now possible for them to choose to exclude the administration of rights related to certain forms of utilization from the general trust contract. Stipulations for Management Consignment Contract & Tariffs for Use of Musical Works The Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights requires the establishment and submission of "Stipulations for Management Consignment Contract" and "Tariffs for Use of Musical Works", to the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. In compliance with this law, JASRAC has amended the following agreements and provisions and duly notified the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the revisions.		Stipulations for Management Consignment Contract "Stipulations for Management Consignment Contract", which set forth the content of the agreement concluded between JASRAC and Trustors, are comprised of 10 sets of provisions and regulations including the " Distribution Rules", which stipulate the method of distribution of collected royalties to Trustors, and "Rules for Administration Expenses", which set forth the commission to be deducted by JASRAC from royalties at the time of their distribution. Tariffs for Use of Musical Works The royalties collected from users are calculated based on the "Tariffs for Use of Musical Works". In the "Tariffs for Use of Musical Works", the royalty percentages and amounts are stated in detail according to different categories of use such as concerts, karaoke, broadcasting, cable broadcasting, publishing, recording, videograms, CD rental, interactive transmission, etc. Prior to the establishment of these tariffs, JASRAC negotiates with the relevant user organizations to determine equitable tariffs.
Members & Trustor System Number of Trustors totals over 15,000! If a lyricist, composer or other party such as a music publisher wishes to entrust the administration of their copyrights to JASRAC, it is necessary for them to have had their copyrighted work made public by a third party through CD sales, broadcasting, live concert performance or some other form of use. Currently the number of members and trustors totals over 15,000. Members Participate in the Management of JASRAC All rights owners (authors, composers and music publishers) who conclude a copyright trust contract with JASRAC are called "Trustors." Trustors who support JASRAC's business objectives, and who make the necessary applications, upon the payment of a membership application fee, may obtain "Associate" and "Full" membership status. Trustors who wish to become Members will initially become Associate Members. Associate Members who wish to become Full Members must fulfill certain requirements for a predetermined period. Full Members are granted, among other rights, the right to attend and vote at General Meetings, eligibility and suffrage in elections for directors, auditors and president. Associate and Full Members are required to pay annual membership dues.		Operational Organization Tokyo Headquarters and Nationwide network of Regional Licensing Offices The General Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting serve as the decision-making body for JASRAC, discussing and deciding on vital management policies as stipulated in JASRAC's Articles of Association. The actual day-to-day operations are performed by the 500-strong JASRAC staff under the overall leadership of the president and the supervision of the managing directors. In addition to its headquarters located in Tokyo, JASRAC operates regional licensing offices throughout Japan. While diverse functions, including the receiving and processing of applications for audio and audiovisual recording, publishing, broadcasting and interactive transmission uses, as well as documentation, distribution and general affairs operations are conducted at headquarters, the regional licensing offices handle licensing operations for performing rights uses such as concerts, karaoke, BGM and others, as well as CD rentals.