As digital technology and its use made rapid progress in recent years, Japan's Copyright Law has become obsolete. A revision of the law meant to address the new situation took effect at the beginning of this year.

It is hoped that the revision will help bring healthy development of digital publication.

Under the revision, not only publishers of printed books but also publishers of digital books will be able to obtain the right to publish works from writers who have the copyright and the right to prevent illegitimate copying of their works. This will greatly contribute to protecting the rights of publishers of electronic books.