July 30, 2014
The Content Overseas Distribution Association
The Manga-Anime Anti-Piracy Committee that consists of 15 major Manga publishers and Anime companies in Japan launches the Manga-Anime Guardians Project (MAGP) today.
The Manga-Anime Anti-Piracy Committee was formed in July of 2013 in response to a proposal by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The secretariat for the committee is the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA). Our mission is to protect Manga and Anime through cross-industry efforts from rampant copyright infringement that takes place in Japan as well as the rest of the world.
The Manga-Anime Guardians Project (MAGP) is launched with the aim to bring “genuine creations” to Manga-Anime fans all over the world. To achieve this objective, we will work on the following three measures. The first is to take down illegally uploaded copies of Manga and Anime from the online space in efficient means. The second is to create a scheme to guide the fans from illegal sources to legitimate sites. The third is to promote awareness of copyright protection among viewers and consumers. Through these initiatives, we aim to support and expand the fan base of Manga and Anime, to eliminate infringing web sites, and to popularize the idea of making proper compensation for creative works.
In August, we will start monitoring and taking down illegally uploaded copies of 580 works owned by 40 Manga publishers and Anime companies. This will be one of our main focuses for 5 months.
Along with the initiation of the aforementioned activity to eliminate infringing copies, we have launched a site called “Manga-Anime here” today, July 30th. This site guides the Manga-Anime fans from illegal sources to legitimate sites by providing URL links to legitimate Manga-Anime works. It is accessible from personal computers as well as smart phones.
We have also created a special promotional short movie for this very project that consists of “Thank You” footages from selected masterpieces of Japanese Manga and Anime. The movie is currently available at “Manga-Anime here” site and will eventually be accessible through various web sites associated with MAGP. More exciting plans will follow to promote legitimate content and awareness of copyright to the public.
MAGP is carried out by CODA as a commissioned project with METI’s supplementary budget for the fiscal year of 2013, which is referred to as “The initiative to strengthen anti-piracy measures (the initiative to support anti-piracy efforts for the purpose of promoting content distribution)”. Through this project, we would like to contribute in developing a healthy online environment by reducing demands for pirated content as well as making legitimate works more easily accessible for Manga and Anime fans.
■The Manga-Anime Anti-Piracy Committee
・Committee Members (in alphabetical order)
Aniplex Inc.
BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc.
Bushiroad Inc.
GOOD SMILE COMPANY, INC.
KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Kodansha Ltd.
Pierrot Co.,Ltd.
SHUEISHA Inc.
Shogakukan Inc.
Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd.
STUDIO GHIBLI INC.
Sunrise Inc.
Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.
TMS ENTERTAINMENT CO.,LTD.
TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD.
・Observers
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Agency for Cultural Affairs
(in alphabetical order)
Association of MANGA Publishers
Association of Copyright for Computer Software
The Association of Japanese Animations
Digital Comic Association
Japan Magazine Publishers Association
Japan Merchandising Rights Association
■Cooperators (in alphabetical order)
In addition to the member of the Manga-Anime Anti-Piracy Committee as listed above, the following companies have endorsed and supported this project. In particular, the publishing industry has shown determination to promote copyright protection as the amended copyright law will be put into force on January 1st of 2015.
AKITA PUBLISHING CO.,LTD.
Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.
EARTH STAR Entertainment
Futabasha Publishers Ltd.
GENTOSHA COMICS INC.
Hakusensha Inc.
HOUBUNSHA CO.,LTD.
ICHIJINSHA
I.T.PLANNING,INC.
Issuisya
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.
Kyoto Animation Co.,Ltd.
LEED Publishing Co. Ltd.
Libre Publishing
MADHOUSE, Inc.
Mediax
NHK Enterprises, Inc.
NIHONBUNGEISHA Co.,Ltd.
Nippon Television Network Corporation
Ohzora Publishing Co., Ltd.
SHIN-EI ANIMATION Co.,Ltd.
SHINCHOSHA Publishing Co.,Ltd.
SHINSHOKAN Co.,Ltd.
SHODENSHA Inc.
Shonengahosha
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Takeshobo Co.,Ltd.
Toho Co.,Ltd.
TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC.
TOKUMA SHOTEN Co.,Ltd.
TV TOKYO Corporation
■Cooperators in Planning and Production (in alphabetical order)
CAL Inc.
DAISUKI Inc.
Hakuhodo Incorporated/ HAKUHODO Kettle Inc.
HUMANMEDIA INC.
JAPACON
Lantis Co.,Ltd.
Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc.
Xarts.Inc.