Japanese Government Consider Codification of Law for Cosplay

Fanwork is a gray zone in Japan seeing that it is illegal to make a product from a series without permission, but its promotional ability is so strong that there is an unwritten agreement on what activities the license holder will tolerate. It's just that for cosplay it seems that this deal will no longer be the same.

According to online news site Nikkan Sports, the Japanese government plans to enact laws to reduce ambiguity in current copyright laws. While non-profit cosplay activities will not be affected, photos of cosplay posted to social media, and cosplayers who make money from the event can face a penalty of foul play.

There are currently no official decisions, and the government is in discussions with Japanese professional cosplayers such as Enako, who is well known for her significant income from cosplay and is also a Cool Japan ambassador.

#コスプレ著作権ルール化 について、拡散されている情報だけでは少し誤解があるかと思いますが…こちらの記事の方が分かりやすいかと思います。https://t.co/YstRkMakre

井上大臣からは、今のコスプレ文化に水をさすことなく、著作権保護を出来る道を模索中とのお話を伺いました。

— えなこ (@enako_cos) January 24, 2021

I think there is some misconception about the information being spread out there about changing cosplay copyright, but this article is easy to understand. I had a discussion with Minister Inoue, and we're looking at ways to protect copyright without intruding on today's cosplay culture.

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#コスプレ著作権ルール化 について、拡散されている情報だけでは少し誤解があるかと思いますが…こちらの記事の方が分かりやすいかと思います。https://t.co/YstRkMakre

井上大臣からは、今のコスプレ文化に水をさすことなく、著作権保護を出来る道を模索中とのお話を伺いました。

— えなこ (@enako_cos) January 24, 2021

I also haven't heard anything about the ban on cosplay photos on social media as written in other articles, so I am eager to find out the truth. I'm not really in a position to easily make a statement on the matter, but personally I hope the changes won't govern social media posts and fan-generated activity if not for profit.

A relevant article states that "Non-profit cosplay will not infringe copyright, but submitting photos to membership-based exchange (SNS) sites such as Instagram, or receiving remuneration at events may violate copyright."

It's strange that Instagram is being used as an example and it is clear that this decision needs to be discussed further.

ちなみに、何度かお伝えさせて頂いてはおりますが…
私がテレビやイベントなど、営利を伴う案件の際は今回の著作権保護を考え、版権物のコスプレではなく、基本的にはオリジナルの衣装での出演をしております。

版権物のコスプレをする場合は、その都度版元様より着用の許可を頂いております。

— えなこ (@enako_cos) January 24, 2021

By the way, I've said it many times before, but when I'm on TV, or any show for profit, I consider copyright and avoid licensed character cosplay, so I go for original costumes. Whenever I cosplay a character from an official work, I do it after getting permission from the publisher.