Music Publishers Association
of Japan (MPAJ) was formed in 1973 under the Ministry
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
(MEXT). The association always aims "to promote musical
copyrights so as to contribute in the growth of music as a culture," as
the Articles of Association reads. Under the chairman, Mr. Ichiro
Asatsuma, MPAJ supports the music publishing industry for its
sound development, and helps to harmonize within the business
circle.
Present membership counts approximately
260 publishers. Since MPAJ is the sole organization to
represent the Japanese music publishing business, most major
publishers are its members. Not only publishing, it also represents
record producers' interests to a certain extent, since many of
the member publishers undertake record productions and hold master
rights.
MPAJ's major activities and services are as follows:
| (1) |
Print and distribute standard forms
of a songwriter's agreement, master license agreement,
and synchronization license application/agreement (specifically
for copyrighted works to use in commercials). These forms
have been practically useful and helpful to get business
people aware of how important copyright protection is.
Also, people can understand what principles of copyright
are through these forms. |
| (2) |
Conduct an annual training course
for those employees who are in charge of music copyright
administration at various companies. Also, offer seminars
on the music business related subjects, as well as financial
matters. Through the training course, the association improves
practical works in the trade generally. Needless to say,
it makes the copyright business better understood. |
| (3) |
On behalf of the member publishers
who have master rights, receive and allocate the funds
of broadcasting "secondary use" fees, record
rental fees, and remuneration of home recording/videotaping
with collaboration of RIAJ, the Recording Industry Association
of Japan. This way, we MPAJ extends our functions to protect
the rights of record producers. |
| (4) |
Present the Japan Stand at MIDEM,
an international music industry expo, and undertake
relevant projects, so as to promote international deals
for music publishers and other interested organizations. |
| (5) |
Give citation of MPA's Awards to encourage music business
activities. |
| (6) |
Send directors or committee members
at the request of copyright-related organizations such
as followings:
|
| (7) |
Extend publicity
by issuing "MPA," a bi-monthly bulletin for own
members, "MPA Members Guide" in both Japanese
and English, brochures to publicize the industry to the
public, and home pages at the Web-site. |
Among these activities, the training course has been very highly
evaluated with more than 1000 trainees completed the course since
it started in 1991. The course offers overall study on music publishing
business and its legal background. Such an opportunity is found
nowhere else in Japan.
Also,
MPAJ's form of the standard songwriter's agreement is convenient
and has been widely used by Japanese publishers and songwriters
since 1976. We are proud that the form has been playing a role
to achieve sound development of music copyright business in Japan.
As for MIDEM, MPAJ has been presenting the Japan Booth since 1992
supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and other relevant
bodies. From 2001 onwards, the association is to offer a seminar
prepared jointly with Reed MIDEM Organization.
Concerning protection of rights, on behalf of the member publishers,
MPAJ closely works with JASRAC as copyright holders, and with RIAJ
as record producers. Through dealing with these organizations,
the association endeavors to have these rights administered more
efficiently.
In 1989, secondary use fees became collected from broadcasters
and other users of commercial records. Also compensation for home
taping began to be collected from audio tape and equipment manufacturers.
Since then, MPAJ serves as a collecting agent, and distributes
the funds received from respective collecting bodies to those interested
members. This service grew up into one of the principal businesses
of the association now.
In the International scene, MPAJ joined ICMP, or the International
Confederation of Music Publishers, which unites music publishers'
associations over the world, since its establishment. MPAJ is the
only Asian board member. |
