The Japanese Copyright Law has been amended so as to comply with the WIPO Copyright Treaty (see our July 1997 Newsletter N.S. 188) and to make some other changes. The main changes are set out below.

With effect from October 1, 1999, unauthorized removal of copyright protection means or rights management information (including electronic watermarks and signatures) became criminal offenses as did unauthorized modification of rights management information. Additionally removal or modification of rights management information now gives rise to the possibility of a civil action.

With effect from January 1, 2000, the right that currently exempts use of recorded music as background music in restaurants and hotels will be abolished and license fees will have to be paid for such use. Furthermore authors will be given additional rights to control distribution and display of works covered by copyright and in the case of distribution rights such additional rights will apply to performers and phonogram producers as well.