Kaneda Copyright Agency {top}

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Copyright FAQ {top}

{FAQ} Are foreign works protected in Japan?

In almost all cases, yes.
There is no such thing (right) as an “international copyright” that automatically protects an author’s works throughout the entire world. Protection against unauthorized use of works in a particular country depends on the national laws of that country. In spites of that, Japan offers protection by copyright to almost all foreign nationals (see Art.6).
Japan is a member of many treaties and conventions affecting copyright. Among the most important international agreements is the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Generally, your work is protected in Japan if your country has entered into international agreements (treaties and conventions) with Japan.

(ref.) Art. 6 of Copyright Act
Only a work that falls under one of the following items is protected under this Act:
(ⅰ) a work by a Japanese national (including a corporation established based on a Japanese law or regulation or a corporation with a principal office in Japan; the same applies hereinafter);
(ⅱ) a work that is first published in Japan (including one first published abroad and published in Japan within 30 days from the date of its first publication);
(ⅲ) a work other than one set forth in the preceding two items, which Japan is under the obligation to protect pursuant to an international treaty.