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Kodansha Wins Copyright Infringment Lawsuit Against Russian Company IQ Art Management
posted on by Alex Mateo
In early July 2023, Kodansha learned that IQ held a paid event in St. Petersburg, Russia from April-October 2023. The event featured 18 exhibited works, such as Attack on Titan, without Kodansha's authorization. Kodansha filed a lawsuit on July 4, 2024 against IQ for copyright infringement in the Arbitration Court of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, Russia.
The court ruled in favor of Kodansha on April 7, ordering IQ to pay 3.75 million rubles (about US$48,000) in damages and 26,000 rubles (about US$333) in legal fees for copyright infringment of 15 of the 18 works and profiting from unauthorized events. Neither party appealed before the finalized judgment on June 24.
Kodansha stated that it will continue to take strict measures against infringment, including unauthorized events, in Japan and internationally.
Update: Corrected currency to "rubles." Thanks, The_Outsider.
Source: Press release
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