April 16, 2021 Dedicated Website on Legal Consultation Hotline for Transaction of Produced Broadcast Content Comes into Operation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) starts the fiscal 2021 operation of a dedicated website on legal consultation hotline for transaction of 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.

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 the Transaction of Produced Broadcast Content Developed (hereafter referred to as “the Guidelines”).
As part of these initiatives, MIC has started operating a dedicated website like that in fiscal 2019 on legal consultation hotline for transaction of produced broadcast content. Trading parties can receive legal advice for free from lawyers. The hotline consultation covers individual specific issues over the transaction of produced 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 2021.

• *1
  The hotline consultation covers individual specific issues over the transaction of produced broadcast content between broadcasters and program production companies, between program production companies and other program production companies, and 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)

• *
  The published material is in Japanese only.