An international organization will be launched this month to protect manga and anime from piracy. Members of the International Anti-Piracy Organization will consist of copyright-protection groups and government agencies from 13 nations, including Japan, the United States, South Korea and the Philippines. Groups based in China and Europe are also showing interest in membership.

The organization will research illegal sites. It will provide its findings to authorities in relevant countries or urge them to launch investigations.

Piracy site operators usually establish their bases outside countries where copyright holders are based to avoid investigation. So, tie-ups among authorities from different nations are essential.
Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association will operate the new organization for the time being.

Goto Takero, representative director of the Content Overseas Distribution Association, says every country has its own copyright law, but how each country applies the law on pirated products varies widely. He says there's a need to step up international cooperation.

The financial damage from piracy far exceeds the size of the legitimate manga market. Japanese manga and anime that enjoy international popularity are often targeted.