DAWN Concept STEP 2000 & 2001 - "Evaluation Project for Digital Watermark Technologies" JASRAC NETWORCHESTRA SYSTEM EDI to Allow Full Usage Reporting and Accurate Distributions Online Registration System for Musical Works

In 1999 when the digitization and online distribution of copyrighted works was beginning to move into the mainstream, JASRAC held a press conference to announce "DAWN 2001" – the keystone of its response to the challenges facing copyright administration in the digital era. Under this initiative, JASRAC aimed at laying a foundation for the IT-driven age of digital technology and communication networks by a comprehensive transition of licensing, collection and distribution operations to an integrated computer system by 2001. From 2002, JASRAC has continued to refine and expand on this concept under a new program called "DAWN-ACT" (Designs for Administration of Works using New technology – Advanced Copyright protection for Tomorrow). This program asks users and related parties to: (1) Implement copy control measures that are indispensable to the protection of copyrights. (2) Embed digital watermarks that contain copyright administration data such as the JASRAC work code. (3) Provide precise and swift reporting of usage of musical works by digital information. DAWN also aims to integrate the electronic work registration system with the computerized licensing systems to form a comprehensive interconnected system for copyright administration. DAWN 2001		One of the technologies essential to the DAWN-ACT concept is "digital watermark" technology, which enables the embedding of copyright administration data, such as the work code, in the digital content. JASRAC worked with CISAC and BIEM on joint evaluation trials called "STEP 2000" and "STEP 2001" with the objective of verifying the practical application and promoting further advances and widespread adoption of these technologies. Companies that possess digital watermark technologies from around the world were invited to participate in the tests to evaluate the level of their technologies. At the end of this process, the names of companies offering superior technologies were made public, and it was confirmed that digital watermark technologies have already reached a stage of practical application. In collaboration with the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) which has the major record companies in its membership, surveillance of illegal sites on the Internet and verification trials from the perspective of identification of broadcast sound recordings were conducted, and produced meaningful results.
One example of how the "DAWN" concept is being transformed into concrete solutions is the "JASRAC NETWORCHESTRA SYSTEM". This integrated system for administration of interactive transmission of musical works ranging from Internet distribution of music to the downloading of "ring tone" melodies for cellular telephones mutually links the various independent computer systems that each handle a specific aspect of the licensing process, together to provide smooth, seamless administration. Harmonizing each individual component system together to play unified symphony of administration, this comprehensive system is aptly named "NETWORCHESTRA". (Please see diagram.)

In order to prepare the data necessary for the distribution of royalties to trustors, JASRAC receives reports of utilized musical works from users. Currently JASRAC receives reports of all musical works that are used in live performance in broadcasting programs and broadcasts of movies from broadcasting stations. However, in the case of broadcasting of recordings such as CDs and records, the volume of data is so overwhelming that JASRAC has had to prepare royalty distribution data by applying a statistical sampling method based on reports of musical works broadcast over a specified period. However, JASRAC is currently holding discussions with broadcasters and jointly conducting tests of a comprehensive system based on EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). From facilitating full reporting of musical works that are broadcast to converting that into distribution data, the envisioned system will pave the way for royalty distribution that more fully and accurately reflects the actual state of usage.

Previously the registration of musical works by trustors was a cumbersome and "paper-centric" process. However, since the launch of a special online registration system developed by JASRAC, registration of domestic works via the Internet has resulted in a more streamlined and efficient process. Using this system, trustors can easily submit their registration applications with music score or audio file attachments via the Web.