Designs for the Administration of Works using New technology

JASRAC's "DAWN 2001" to lead copyright administration into the next generation

As computer technology advancements are being announced virtually everyday, the use of such technologies in the realm of copyright protection has been raised high on the agenda. However, due to a lack of a secure copyright administration system that encompasses the entire music usage process, individual companies and organizations involved in music distribution and the technologies that make it possible, were left to figure out copyright protection schemes on their own, often based on their own interpretation of the issue.

JASRAC has devised the "DAWN 2001" plan which will serve as a blueprint for a new copyright administration system, including copyright protection technologies that will ensure the integrity of the copyright owners rights in digital online music usages, as well as other types of usages. It is a proposal by JASRAC, representing the Japanese music industry, for a global system of music usage utilizing electronic authorization and watermarking technologies to be realized by the year 2001.

The plan will focus mainly on:

1. Creating a unified copyright information and licensing system, and a comprehensive set of rules for music usage and copyright clearance procedures.
2. Monitoring and preventing illegal copyright usage while providing efficient usage licenses by utilizing new technology.
3. Ensuring expeditious work registration and accurate royalty distribution.
4. Introducing new services that are made possible by the incorporation of new technology - work registration by copyright owners and usage returns by music users via the Internet is just one possibility.

"DAWN 2001" is a proposal by the music copyright administration body JASRAC to design not only a copyright protection system, but a comprehensive overall blueprint of the music usage process, positioning new technologies at various points within the system for optimal effect.

One important aspect is the inclusion of copyright and authorization data into digital music data, and the key is doing it without any audible losses to sound quality. The inclusion of copyright data as part of the transmitted music data, will allow for end to end control of the music that is being used and copyright protection, without hindering business opportunities, and that is the aim here.

New web-crawling technology will also be introduced to eradicate illegal Internet music sites, regardless of the data transmission format.

With the help of technology companies, copyright administration organizations in Japan and abroad, as well as the relevant government authorities, while making relevant information widely available, we aim to make "DAWN 2001" a reality for the benefit of both right holders and music users.

An Example of the Utilization of New Technology

(Online Distribution of CDs and Other Sound Recordings)

To online distributors of music who have been provided master recordings from the producers of commercial CDs, JASRAC will issue an authorization (the formation of an electronic license agreement) under the following conditions:

With this system, end users will be able to legally receive music transmitted by authorized distributors. If the receiver of an Internet transmitted work wishes to exploit the work on the Internet, another authorization may be negotiated in order to prevent illegal usages. At the same time, monitoring functions for illegal distribution will be enhanced.

At the other end, JASRAC will enable the registration of works by electronic data from composers and authors and music publishers, and develop a system that will expediently authorize users.

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"DAWN 2001" will examine the applicability of the same systems in other fields of usage as well, such as broadcasts, general performances, CD rentals, etc.

(June 3, 1999)

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