Copyright Registration Japan

Copyright registration in Japan has to be made either with SOFTiC (for the registration of software) or with Japan Copyright Office (assigned to the Agency of Cultural Affaires, Minstry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology) re. the registration of all copyrights except those for software.

What can be registered?

Copyright registration in Japan is possible for:

• registration of the true name (when a pseudonym / pen name is used)
• registration of the date of creation of a computer program (possible within 6 months from the creation date)
• registration of the date of first publication

Procceding

Registration process will take about 1 month.

Required documents and information

The following documents are required in an application to register the copyright in a work:

• Power of Attorney
• official document showing the author's identification

The following information is required in an application to register the copyright in a work:

for the registration of the true name (when a pseudonym / pen name is used):

• picture(s) of the work, or a copy of the work
• title of the work
• name & address of the author
• brief specification of the work

for the registration of the date of creation of computer program:

• microfiche, or CD-R, or DVD-R, in which the computer program is recorded
• first creation date
• title of the work
• name & address of the author
• brief specification of the computer program

for the registration of the date of first publication:

• picture(s) of the work, or a copy of the work (or, for computer programs, microfiche, or CD-R, or DVD-R, in which the computer program is recorded
• materials (such as receipt) to prove the date of first publication
• title of the work
• name & address of the author
• brief specification of the work

Additional information:

Upon completion of the registration, a certified copy may be obtained, which is an officially recognized document which may be used to prove the ownership in the respective copyright.