June 3, 2020 Dedicated Website on Transaction and Legal Consultation Hotline for Produced Broadcast Content Comes into Operation

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has started operating a dedicated website on a transaction and legal consultation hotline for produced broadcast content. Through this website, trading parties may receive legal consultation for free from lawyers over individual specific issues related to the transaction of produced broadcast content between broadcasters and program production companies.

1. Background

From the viewpoint of promoting the production and distribution of high-quality and attractive broadcast content, MIC is taking necessary measures and promoting related initiatives, including the establishment of the Guidelines for Regulation on Production and Trade of Broadcast Content Developed (hereafter referred to as “the Guidelines”).
As part of these initiatives, MIC has started operating a dedicated website just like that in fiscal 2019 on a transaction and legal consultation hotline for produced broadcast content, where trading parties can receive legal advice for free from lawyers. The hotline consultation covers individual specific issues over the production and transaction of broadcast content between broadcasters and program production companies^*1 and questions about relevant laws and regulations, such as the Subcontract Proceeds Act^*2.
MIC will operate the website within its budget for fiscal 2020.

• *1
  The hotline consultation covers individual specific issues over the production and transaction not only between broadcasters and program production companies but also between program production companies and other program production companies as well as between program production companies and the freelancers.
• *2
  Formally called the Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, Etc. to Subcontractors (Act No. 120 of 1966)

2. Website outline

• Name: Hotline for Produced Broadcast Content Comes into Operation
  https://hosocontents-tekitori.go.jp/
• Operation period: Wednesday, June 3, 2020, through Friday, February 26, 2021 (approximately nine months)
• Scope of consultation coverage: Issues over the production and transactions of broadcast content on television (terrestrial television broadcasting, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, and cable television)
• Method of consultation: Enter and select the required items (consultation content, desired time zone, etc.) in the consultation form on the dedicated website and then send the form. A lawyer in charge of the consultation commissioned by MIC will contact the counselee by phone at the desired time of day and will provide free legal consultation for 30 minutes.

Note 1. This website is for accepting consultations from the parties concerned. Lawyers cannot answer any inquiries about content that is not within the scope or any consultation from third parties. For general opinions and suggestions, which are not related to the subject of consultation, please send them to MIC’s website for public opinions and suggestions (https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/opinions.html).

Note 2. Small and medium-sized enterprises and small-scale business operators affected or likely to be affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic should refer to the list of consultation services over COVID-19 on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(https://www.meti.go.jp/covid-19/sodan_madoguchi.html ).

Note 3. Due to the limited number of consultations that can be accepted within the operating period, the website may be closed earlier than scheduled.

Note 4. For more details about the hotline, visit the dedicated website above.