Design Protection
Basically, designs are protected by the Design Law. But certain types of design cannot be protected under the law. JAGDA aggressively campaigns for protection of these types of design under the Copyright Law and stresses that graphic design including typography and layout are entitled to copyright. As we enter the multimedia era, new issues must be resolved, as there are many cases in which copyrighted designs are easily copied and manipulated as original and used without permission. Ever since its establishment JAGDA, in cooperation with related organizations, has conducted activities that seek legal recognition and protection of copyrights for designs.
Submitting opinions to the Council
In 1993 the Council of the Design Association of Japan, to which JAGDA belongs, established a working group for design protection. The group submitted its opinions to the Copyright Council, requesting examination and a ruling with respect to design protection under the Copyright Law. It also participated in the Patent System Council. The results are been reflected in the "Revised Design Law" passed in 1998.
Collecting and sharing of reprographic rights fee
JAGDA, as a founding member of the Japan Artistic Copyright Federation, entrusts its members' rights to the Japan Reprographic Rights Center* and receives a share of the profits. The proceeds are used for activities that aim to promote copyright protection.
Establishment of a copyright database
The Japan Art, Photograph and Graphic Design Copyright Organization, composed of the Japan Artistic Copyright Federation, the Japan Artists Association and the All Japan Federation of Copyrights for Photographers, has set about organizing an intensive management system for copyright information to enable efficient complex copyright management in our multimedia era. Called the "APG-Japan Online Copyright Database," the system intends to have design users search Internet for copyright information.
FD/MO labels warning against copy/alteration without permission
To preclude manipulation and reproduction of digital data, labels for FD and MO warn those who receive the data.
Changes in the Competition Rights Regulation
Should problems arise regarding the contents of the Competition Rights Regulation, requests for revisions are directed to the organizer.
Legal consultation
JAGDA assists its members in matters of copyright by referring their cases to legal counsel.
JAGDA is a member of the following copyright-related organizations
- Japan Art, Photograph and Graphic Design Copyright Organization (APG-Japan)
- Japan Artistic Copyright Federation
- Working Group for Design Protection at the Council of the Design Association of Japan
- The Japan Reprographic Rights Center
- Liaison Council of the Authors Association of Japan
- The Japan Copyright Council
- The Copyright Research and Information Center
- Copyright Legal Society
An organization formed to deal with illegal copying, manages reprographic rights from publication and collects reprographic fees from users to give to copyright holders.