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Some of the main obstacles to re-releasing old content are copyright laws. In some countries the law is very strict, in others it may be vague or the way it is applied may be outdated. An example of a country where the latter occurs is Japan.
System obstructs restart
Japanese copyright law may make it difficult or impossible to replay some older games, as well as old animated series and movies. A new system to enforce copyright law could change that, media reports spark game s Yomiuri ShimbunIt is already being worked on.
What is the problem with Japanese copyright law? Spread Yomiuri Shimbun clarifies that under the current system it is necessary to obtain direct permission to use any copyrighted content; However, sometimes the owner is unknown, deceased, or it is not clear who has the rights at present. It also states that sometimes it is impossible to contact the rights owner, which makes it impossible to re-release some content.
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Regarding posting spark gameAnd the Twitter user, GSK, He states that “the last example of this problem was Star Cruiser MD, which was excluded from the Mega Drive (SEGA Genesis) Mini due to ambiguity over who could allow it to be included. «The current successor to Vic Tokai Corporation agreed to include the games for the mini-console, but SEGA wasn’t sure they had full ownership rights, so they chose to leave this group of games.»
A recent example of this issue was the Star Cruiser MD, which had to be left out of the Mega Drive Mini due to ambiguity over who could specifically allow the re-release.
Similarly, Toei had to go through the Agency for Cultural Affairs to re-release some Hokuto no Ken games on the Jump FC Mini
– GSK | https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate (@gosokkyu) July 13, 2021
Another recent example (again, a related Mega Drive Mini) was the Vic Tokai catalog: the company’s current successor to Vic apparently agreed to include it in the MD Mini but Sega wasn’t confident that it clearly held those rights, so they held off a move forward
– GSK | https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate (@gosokkyu) July 13, 2021
A solution is already being worked on
The plan to reform Japan’s copyright system has strong support: it is part of the 2021 Intellectual Property Promotion Plan, which was promoted by a group led by current Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The proposal is to create a central organization that manages copyright, as well as licensing fees, in this way, companies can ensure that the rights to the old materials they work with, have been previously verified by an official entity.
As can be seen, to replay retro video games in a 100% legal way, it is not enough to publish ROM collections, it is necessary to validate license by license, and often this is not an attractive investment for companies. The new system could change this situation.
And you, what do you think about what happens to copyright in Japan? Do you know about this position? Leave us your opinion in the comments and stay tuned for more content here, at LEVEL UP.