「世界知的所有権の日」記念上映会を開催しました April.26.2017

On April 25, 2017, Japan and International Motion Picture Copyright Association (JIMCA), with the support of the U.S. Embassy and the cooperation of The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. hosted a special screening of the feature film “Beauty and the Beast” at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi to celebrate World IP Day.

Special guests from the U.S. Embassy, the MPA, and The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. took to the podium and delivered opening remarks. A large number over a hundred of students who have enrolled in intellectual property rights and film studies courses were present and distributed pro-copyright messages live via SNS.

Mr. Daniel Rochman, Counselor for Economic and Science Affairs at the United States Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, said, “This World IP Day, we celebrate the contributions made by young creative minds everywhere whose new ideas drive human progress across a wide range of activities: cultural, scientific, technological and economic. In no other medium are these activities better combined than through the craft of filmmaking. How do we ensure that creators can embrace new technologies while preserving their basic right to own and control what they create? We must study these questions closely, because we know that when creators know their creations are safe, they are more inclined to bring forth new ideas that enrich and improve our lives.”

Mr. Michael C. Ellis, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, MPA, said, “As you enjoy the film, take a moment to consider just how much work by so many talented people goes into making a feature film production. For filmmakers to continue to innovate, we need to ensure that they are incentivized for their work. And the best way for all of us to contribute to that environment is to respect their work and pay to access their films and TV shows through legitimate channels, whether at the cinema, on TV, or via one of the many, many new online services available to us. Copyright infringement continues to present a daunting challenge to the Japanese film and television industry. However, fortunately, there are strategies such as site blocking, which has been shown to be effective and reducing infringement and has been adopted by 42 countries around the world.”

Ms. Tami Ihara, Marketing Executive Director, The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. said, “Thank you very much for choosing our live-action movie ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as the special screening film to commemorate World IP Day and it is our honor to present our film. We sincerely appreciate that we could take part in this event.
As you all might know that Walt Disney had already produced the animation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ 25 years ago, and it has been loved and enjoyed by many audiences around the world. Not only was it nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film, a first for an animated feature film, but also it received an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and it significantly changed the image that people had towards animation. The film’s main character “Belle” intelligent, inquisitive, and strong minded, but also she has a gentle caring heart towards her father, and she is a strong, very modern woman. Director Bill Condon certainly succeeded in upgrading the film into a meaningful story, which certainly fits our age.”

 

World IP Day
World IP Day (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 society. Now in its 17th year, World IP Day has become an important opportunity to raise awareness about the need to protect intellectual property. Many events are held around the world to highlight the significance of intellectual property rights. JIMCA will continue to celebrate this event and looks forward to holding special screening events in the future.