May 22, 2002
JASRAC
Japanese Society for Rights of
Authors, Composers and Publishers
Regular Press Conference 2002
Royalty Collection Figures for 2001
JASRACs total royalty collection for 2001 was 105,280,000,000 JPY (approx.
910 million EUR). This is a 1,040,000,000 JPY (approx. 8 million EUR), or 1.0%
decline from last year.
A breakdown is provided in the appendix Royalty Collection for 2001.
Administration Utilizing New Technology
The following operations were undertaken during 2001 to realize the DAWN
2001concept announced in 1999.
1. |
In order to establish an Internet copyright administration
system that also covers non-commercial online transmissions from personal websites,
which JASRAC has been licensing since July 2001, JASRAC launched operations of
its J-TAKT online license application system, J-CLEF automatic license logo issuance
system which incorporates an electronic watermark to prevent counterfeiting, and
J-MUSE Internet surveillance system to identify illegal data files of copyright
works. |
2. |
JASRAC conducted the STEP 2001electronic watermark
evaluation project, to verify current technology levels of watermarks and to promote
their usage. An enhanced version of the STEP 2000project conducted
the year before, it recognized watermarking technologies whose technology levels
met the technical requirements for actual deployment in the field of Internet
transmissions of copyright works. The results were announced in October 2001.
|
3. |
As the first phase for the digitization of musical works
registration, JASRAC developed an online work registration system and conducted
a pilot program with the cooperation of some of its members. The system is now
ready for deployment. |
4. |
JASRAC discussed and negotiated with relevant organizations
in order to digitize music usage reports. JASRAC has begun development of a computer
application for broadcasters (J-BEAT) and a registration system for the reporting
of works that have been broadcast, and is also developing an online licensing
system for record companies. |
Efforts Against Copyright Infringement Using File-Sharing Programs
JASRAC initiated a criminal case, a provisional injunction request and litigation on merits in 2001 to prevent further damage being done in terms of
copyright infringement by file-sharing programs.
[Provisional Injunction Request] |
|
On January 29, 2002, JASRAC applied for a provisional injunction
to the Tokyo District Court seeking to halt the file-sharing of JASRAC repertoire
via a Japanese file-sharing system called "File Rogue," a technology originally
developed by a company in Canada, and provided in Japan by MMO Japan Ltd. 19 record
companies affiliated with the Recording Industry Association of Japan also filed
a similar provisional injunction request on the same day. |
[Litigation on Merits] |
|
MMO Japan indicated its intentions to contend the aforementioned
provisional injunction requests. Recognizing that acts of copyright infringement
were being continued at the substantial expense of the copyright holders, JASRAC
initiated litigation on merits demanding a halt to the file-sharing plus damages
of 214,330,000 yen (approx. 1.8 million Euros), without waiting for a decision
on the provisional injunction request. |
[Criminal Suit] |
|
On December 7, 2001, JASRAC filed a complaint with the Kyoto
Prefectural Polices Yamashina Police Department against a vocational school
student for making MP3 music files reproduced from commercial CDs available for
sharing using the file-sharing program winMX,on charges of infringing
the right to make transmittable and the right of reproduction. On March 26, 2002
the Kyoto Summary Court issued a summary order of a \400,000 (approx. 3,400 EUR)
penalty against this individual. |
Efforts to Comply with the Law on Management Business of Copyright
and Neighboring Rights
To comply with the Law on Management Business of Copyright and Neighboring Rights,
which came into effect on October 1, 2001, JASRAC newly established or amended
various rules and regulations, including its Stipulations for Copyright Trust
Contract. On October 2, the new Stipulations for Management Consignment Contract
(effective April 1, 2002) and Tariffs (effective November 1, 2001) were submitted
to the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
This introduced a Selective Scope of Management Consignment whereby
copyright owners can select the extent to which they wish to entrust JASRAC with
their rights along predetermined rights and usage categories. The transition process
was prepared carefully, promulgating application requirements and making substantial
changes to the computer systems, to make sure there was no confusion.
JASRAC Cultural Activities Conducted During 2001
From 1998, JASRAC has been conducting public benefit cultural programs, funded
mainly by membership dues, with programs for the promulgation of the concept
of copyrights,assistance programs for the creation and popularization
of musical works,and assistance programs for research on the utilization
of music forming the three main pillars.
In its fourth year, 31 programs were conducted in 2001, the most for any single
year so far. Also, programs for the promotion and popularization of copyright
works in general with subsidies from the Common Interest Fund of the Remuneration
for Audio Home Recording, as well as activities to publicize and explain JASRACs
cultural activities were undertaken.
Administration of Background Music
With regard to the administration of background music (public performance of sound
recordings as well as communication to the public through public transmissions),
licensing agreements have been concluded with most background music providers
in an arrangement known as source licensing,where
the background music provider pays the usage fees on behalf of the individual
establishments that are utilizing the background music they provide. Administration
began in April 2002.
2002 JASRAC Awards -Everything Receives Gold Awar
The 2002 JASRAC Award recipients have been determined.
The JASRAC Awards are presented to the right owners of the works that received
the largest sums of royalty distributions during the previous fiscal year, to
honor their accomplishments, and as a token of gratitude for their contributions
to JASRAC. This marks the 20th anniversary of the Award, and is based on royalties
distributed from April 2001 to March 2002. Also, letters of thanks are sent to
the record companies responsible for the production and distribution of the works
receiving the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, for their accomplishments in disseminating
and popularizing these works.
The 2002 JASRAC Award recipients are:
Gold Award
(Domestic work receiving largest amount of royalty distribution) |
Everything |
Lyricist |
Misia |
Composer |
Toshiaki MATSUMOTO |
Publisher |
FujiPacific Music, Inc.
Rhythmedia Music, Inc. |
Record Company |
BMG Funhouse |
Performing Artist |
Misia |
Silver Award
(Domestic work receiving 2nd largest amount of royalty distribution) |
Can You Keep A Secret? |
Lyricist |
Hikaru Utada |
Composer |
Hikaru Utada |
Publisher |
FujiPacific Music, Inc.
U3Music
|
Record Company |
Toshiba EMI |
Performing Artist |
Hikaru Utada |
Bronze Award
(Domestic work receiving 3rd largest amount of royalty distribution) |
Lion Hearts (Yes) |
Lyricist |
Shinji Nojima |
Composer |
Minoru Komorita |
Publisher |
Nippon Television Music Corp.
Johnny Company |
Record Company |
Victor Entertainment |
Performing Artist |
SMAP |
International Award
(Domestic work receiving largest amount of foreign royalty distribution) |
Pocketmonster BGM |
Composer |
Shinji Miyazaki |
Publishers |
TV Tokyo Music Co., Ltd.
Shogakukan Music & Digital
Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Media Factory, Inc. |
Foreign Work Award
(Foreign work receiving largest amount of royalty distribution) |
Stand By Me |
Lyricists &
Composers |
Ben E. King (BMI)
Jerry Leiber (ASCAP)
Mike Stoller
|
Original Publishers |
Leiber Jerry Music (ASCAP)
Stoller Mike Music (ASCAP)
Mike And Jerry Music LLC (BMI) |
Sub-publishers |
FujiPacific Music, Inc.
Yamaha Music Foundation |
Appendix:
Royalty
Collection for 2001
End |