On November 15, 2024, during its visit to Sweden, CODA met with representatives of the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV) in Stockholm. The meeting focused on exchanging views about the current state of content infringement caused by piracy, identifying challenges, and discussing potential future collaborations.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Johan Westberg, Senior Business Advisor, and Ms. Sofie Grettve von Rosen, Legal Advisor, from PRV. Representing CODA, Taro Yuguchi, Director of Operations, provided an update on CODA’s ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting the distribution of Japanese content.
In addition, CODA shared insights from its recent implementation of the PBL-based educational program, Digital Etiquette for Teens, at Balder High School in Skellefteå during this visit to Sweden. CODA also discussed possibilities for future collaboration through educational and awareness-raising content.
Mr. Johan Westberg, Senior Business Advisor at PRV, provided an overview of PRV’s current framework and outlook. PRV wants to get entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises and others in the innovation community to manage their intangible assets and improve operations, profitability and growth, and process applications for patents, trademarks and designs. PRV shares knowledge about copyright and what it means to creators, works against illegal streaming, and spreads awareness about the negative effects of piracy on society, businesses and consumers. PRV offers customer support, consulting services and training on intangible assets and their protection.
Ms. Grettve von Rosen highlighted the importance of addressing copyright infringement not only within Sweden but also across the EU as well as the significance of public-private collaboration in safeguarding the content industry. Our hosts from PRV recognized the importance of organizations like CODA and gave much praise to CODA’s comprehensive efforts in content protection, spanning enforcement, education, and awareness-raising activities in coordination with content holders, relevant government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Currently, Sweden faces significant challenges and issues similar to those in Japan, including illegal streaming of content, clarifying the approach to copyright in relation to AI, and rights infringements caused by pirate websites. This marked CODA’s first courtesy visit to the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV), and we were able to engage in a highly meaningful discussion with PRV representatives.
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About CODA
CODA (Content Overseas Distribution Association) was established in 2002 at the call of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Agency for Cultural Affairs to promote the overseas development of Japanese content and take anti-piracy measures. Japan’s proud content, including music, movies, anime, broadcast programs, video games, and publishing, plays an important role in enhancing the nation’s international presence and economic growth. As digital technology becomes more widespread, it is even more significant to protect Japan’s content from increasingly artful copyright infringement and promote the content industry’s development. CODA contributes to the deterrence and detection of online and other piracy, by sharing knowledge with relevant government agencies, organizations, and companies in Japan and abroad, to engage in direct and indirect anti-piracy measures, as well as public relations activities. Visit https://coda-cj.jp/en/activity/ for more information on CODA’s projects.