Comprehensive Antipiracy Measures Are Under Review

 ■Comprehensive Antipiracy Measures Are Under Review

We discussed the situation regarding antipiracy measures among the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters Committee. 1 year has passed since the announcement of emergency measures by the Japanese government.

Although a consensus could not be reached regarding the opinions of those in the Task Force, the office proposed a comprehensive set of measures based on the items that were discussed. The proposal involves 3 layers.

1: Immediately do what can be done.

Education and awareness of copyrights, promotion of official distribution, establish an organization for countermeasures, enhance international cooperation and execution, countermeasures on search sites, countermeasures for advertisement drafts, filtering, and access warning methods.

2: Prepare for implementation and bill proposal.

Access warning methods, countermeasures for leech sites, and prohibition of downloads of still images that infringe on rights.

3: Assess the situation while observing the effect of other efforts and the harm being caused.

Blocking.

There are 10 categories listed above, excluding blocking. The plan involves clarifying the actions to be executed for and the competent authority in charge of each category.

Discussions regarding revision of the Copyright Act, which includes countermeasures for leech sites and prohibition of downloads, in the Council for Cultural Affairs became complicated, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs decided not to submit a bill, as agreement could not be reached with the Liberal Democratic Party either. Regarding the matter, it was stated that “Preparations for submitting a bill will continue while carefully listening to the voice of the people.”

Because blocking and prohibition of downloads are also very difficult issues, I believe it was also suitable that opinions would be split in the council. As a democracy, it is justified for legislation to make the intentions of the government pause. We have yet to reach a proper resolution to the issue regarding intellectual property and IT. We may need to be prepared to continue a rapid process of trial and error.

The EU published the names of companies as part of a watch list of malicious entities involved in piracy. There was agreement on a copyright directive involving restrictions on digital usage rights for educational purposes and the duty to obtain consent from those with the rights to platform content. The office reported that activities are becoming advanced.

The Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts, and Telecommunications explained the filtering measures based on reform to the Act to Prepare an Online Environment for the Youth. The Task Force that I serve as the chief investigator for has also been discussing this issue and plans to move forward with this in conjunction with antipiracy measures. There was also a report that an effort would be made to build a cooperative relationship between the communications industry and rightsholders.

Attorney Fukui reported that there is a desire to build a forum for tens of interested communications and publishing companies to discuss measures. Will it be possible to mend the relationships that were cracked in the Task Force to move forward? Nongovernment support is sought.