Intellectual Property Archives - Page 3 of 13

October 19, 2017

What are the unique aspects of Japan’s Design Law?

While Japan’s Design Law provides much of the same protection as other intellectual property laws around the world, it also has a few unique elements that provide protections not found in other countries. For example, since 2006, the Japanese Design Law also protects the design of screens for cell phones, DVD recorders and other electronics that are not normally subject to protection in other countries.

September 27, 2017

Are there any criminal penalties for copyright infringement in Japan?

Most owners of copyrights will be interested in the civil penalties associated with unjust enrichment based upon their work. However, Japanese law also authorizes criminal penalties in certain circumstances of copyright infringement.

September 5, 2017

In what situations is a copyright unenforceable in Japan?

Not all unauthorized uses of copyrighted material can be the basis for a infringement litigation. Some types of behavior that would otherwise be infringing are allowed under the Copyright Act. For example, use of copyrighted material in schools for educational purposes is generally allowed under the Copyright Act. Therefore, if a teacher copies passages out of a novel to create homework for his or her students, the copyright owner cannot sue the teacher for infringement.

August 10, 2017

How do I make money from my copyrights in Japan?

Owning a copyright prevents others from copying your work. This is helpful to maintain the integrity of your brand but merely preventing copying by itself does not generate any revenue for the copyright owner. In order to monetize your copyrights, it is important to enter into licensing agreements with other parties who wish to copy your work.