Officials from the Japanese government’s Fair Trade Commission have reportedly raided the Tokyo headquarters of local authors’ society JASRAC.
Reports suggest the Wednesday raid was based on suspicions that the society had violated the Antimonopoly Law by blocking other music copyright management organizations’ entry into the business.
Media reports quote sources as claiming that JASRAC has “comprehensive licensing contracts” with broadcasting companies that allow TV and radio stations unlimited use of JASRAC-managed music copyrights for a flat fee of 1.5% of their broadcasting revenue, undercutting rival music-copyright agencies.
JASRAC officials were quoted as acknowledging that the raid took place and that the society will cooperate with the FTC investigation. Neither the FTC nor JASRAC could be reached for comment at press time.
