I am ... a songwriter/music publisher but I am NOT a member of any copyright society in Japan or abroad.
Q1. Under what circumstances would JASRAC administer my copyrights?
A1.
JASRAC administers the copyrights of its own Members and Trustors, or members of other copyright management organizations with which JASRAC has a representation agreement. Therefore, for JASRAC to administer your copyrights, you must become affiliated with JASRAC or one of its foreign sister organizations.
Q2. What are the requirements for affiliating myself with JASRAC?
I am ... a songwriter/music publisher who is a member of a copyright society abroad, which has an agreement with JASRAC.
Q3. When will royalties collected by JASRAC on my behalf be distributed to me?
A3.
When your works are used in Japan, JASRAC collects the royalties and distributes them to your copyright management organization (CMO). Your CMO will then distribute the royalties to you in accordance with its distribution rules.
In case you have queries regarding the use of your works in Japan, please contact us through your CMO.
Q4. I would like to obtain details of how my songs are being used in Japan.
A4.
JASRAC can disclose details about music usage, rights ownership or distributions to its own Members and Trustors, and its sister copyright management organizations (CMO) only. This is to maintain information security and integrity. You may wish to send your request for information through your CMO, in which case we will be happy to oblige.
Q5. I would like to provide information concerning the rights ownership of my songs.
A5.
JASRAC can only register details about rights ownership it receives from its own Members and Trustors, and its sister copyright management organizations (CMO). This is to maintain information security and integrity. We ask that you send your requests through your CMO.
Q6. I will be relocating my musical activities to Japan. What are the requirements for affiliating myself with JASRAC?
A6.
Since you are a member of a copyright management organization which has a representation agreement with JASRAC, your copyrights are already administered by JASRAC in Japan.
However, becoming a Member or Trustor of JASRAC may also be an option. If you are considering becoming affiliated with JASRAC, please refer to our "Membership Requirements" page on our website, and also to our "Guide to the Copyright Trust Contract and Membership".
I am ... a music user or considering using music in the future.
Q7. How do I obtain permission to use Japanese music in other countries?
A7.
In general, you may obtain permission to use JASRAC repertoire from the local copyright management organization (CMO) (there are exceptions). In this case, local laws and the stipulations of the local CMO apply.
For more details on JASRAC's relationships with CMOs in other countries, please visit our "INTERNATIONAL NETWORK" web page from the link below.
Q8. How do I obtain permission to use foreign music in Japan?
A8.
You may obtain permission to use foreign works from JASRAC provided they are the repertoire of foreign copyright management organizations which have representation agreements with JASRAC. Please contact JASRAC when you use foreign works in Japan.
For more details on JASRAC's relationships with CMOs in other countries, please visit our "INTERNATIONAL NETWORK" web page from the link below.
Q9. What are the penalties for copyright infringement?
A9.
Under the Japanese Copyright Law, copyright infringement can result in punishment "by imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or a fine not exceeding ten million Yen, or both" (Article 119). For legal persons the maximum fine is three hundred million Yen (Article 124). The right to demand cessation of infringing acts (Article 112) and claim compensation for damages is also afforded to the copyright owner.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at
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