MPA/JIMCA、米国大使館の後援を得て「世界知的所有権の日」記念イベントを開催しました April.24.2014

On April 24, 2014, Japan and International Motion Picture Copyright Association (JIMCA) with the support of the U.S. Embassy hosted a special screening of the feature film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” in celebration of World IP Day (April 26), which this year is themed “Movies: A Global Passion” at Toho Cinemas, Roppongi Hills.

Mr. Michael C. Ellis, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Motion Picture Association (MPA), said, “In Japan, there are many different ways that movies can be enjoyed via cinemas, online distribution, and packaged DVDs, so please choose not watch to movies from unauthorized websites. Creators will be unable to retrieve their costs and to invest in their upcoming films. In order to continuously develop the film industry, we need everyone’s understanding and support, so please convey our messages to your families and friends.”,

Mr. Ellis delivered the following message from Mr. Kurt Tong, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy: “The United States Embassy in Tokyo is proud to support World IP Day again this year. Intellectual property (IP) rights protect and encourage innovation and creativity, key enablers to job creation and economic growth. Intellectual property rights also help generate products we all enjoy, including books, music, and movies. This year’s World IP Day theme, “Movies-A Global Passion,” refers to how much films enrich our lives. Even beyond their entertainment value, though, movies and the film industry generate jobs and other economic benefits. Unauthorized downloads and pirated copies of movies harm the many people involved in producing and distributing the films we love. In the end, we, the movie watchers, are harmed, as making movies becomes less attractive to the people who make them. As world leaders in the creative industries, Japan and the United States play an important role in IP protection, and we value our partnership in this area. We hope you enjoy tonight’s screening of an American movie: “Captain America: Winter Soldier.”

Mr. Takayuki Tsukagoshi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd., said, “The theme of World IP Day this year is ‘Movies: A Global Passion’. Respecting and protecting copyright is indispensable for the development of the film industry.”

World Intellectual Property Day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to raise understanding of how intellectual property impacts on daily life and to celebrate creativity as well as the contribution made by innovators and creators to the development of societies. Numerous events around the world will this year celebrate “Movies: A Global Passion”.