Kodansha Wins Copyright Lawsuit Against IQ Art Management LLC

In a recent legal victory, Kodansha has secured a ruling against a Russian company for copyright infringement.

Image via Kodansha

The Case at a Glance

Last Wednesday, Kodansha announced that it had won a lawsuit against IQ Art Management LLC, a company based in Russia. The court's decision was made on June 24, after a legal battle over unauthorized use of Kodansha's copyrighted works.

What Happened?

• In early July 2023, Kodansha discovered that IQ held a paid event in St. Petersburg, Russia, from April to October 2023.
• The event showcased 18 works, including popular titles like Attack on Titan, without Kodansha's permission.
• On July 4, 2024, Kodansha filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.

Court Ruling and Penalties

• The court ruled in favor of Kodansha on April 7.
• IQ was ordered to pay 3.75 million rubles (approximately US$48,000) in damages.
• Additionally, they were required to cover 26,000 rubles (about US$333) in legal fees.
• The infringement involved 15 of the 18 works displayed and profiting from the unauthorized event.
• Neither party appealed the final judgment, which was confirmed on June 24.

Kodansha's Commitment

Kodansha has stated that it will continue to take strict measures against copyright infringement, both in Japan and internationally.

Source: Press release

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This case highlights the ongoing efforts to protect intellectual property rights worldwide.