Date of Judgment: March 15, 1988
Issuing Authority: Supreme Court
Level of the Issuing
Authority: Final Instance
Type of Procedure: Judicial (Civil)
Subject Matter: Copyright and Related Rights
Summary of the
judgment (decision):
If the owner
of a snack bar installs karaoke equipment and karaoke tapes which contain
recorded musical pieces which are copyrighted, and encourages the customers to
sing, particularly to sing the piece of the customer's choice in the presence
of other customers accompanied by the music recorded in the karaoke tape being
played, enhances the lively atmosphere of the outlet and thus, intends to
increase the number of customers and increase profit, this owner is not
exempted from tort liability as the subject entity of the singing in relation
to the singing by the customers, unless there is consent of the holder of the
copyright of the musical piece.
(Translated
by Sir Ernest Satow Chair of Japanese Law, University of London)