I don't know if this has been posted before so forgive me if I reposted this.A small excerpt:
Note:
1) The Copyright law excludes the following from the scope of works of authorship :
(a) news having the character of simple communication of facts; and
(b) programming language, rule (a special rule on how to use a programming language in a particular program) and algorithm.
2) The protection of "derivative works" does not prejudice the rights of authors of the original works. As the authors of the original works continue to have all rights (except for the moral right to control "modification" ) also for the derivative works, those who wish to exploit a derivative work should obtain an authorization from both the author of the original work and the author of the derivative work.
3) "Compilations" of works and/or data which constitute intellectual creations by reason of the selection and/or arrangement of the contents are protected as independent works. This protection does not prejudice the rights of authors of works incorporated in the compilations. Those who wish to exploit a compilation as a whole or a substantial part of it should obtain an authorization from both all the authors of the works incorporated in the compilation and the editor (author) of the compilation.
4) "Databases" of works and/or data which constitute intellectual creations by reason of the selection and/or systematic construction of the contents are protected as independent works. This protection does not prejudice the rights of authors of works incorporated in the databases. The demarcation between compilations and databases in the Japanese Copyright Law is "computer readability".
View the site:
http://www.cric.or.jp/cric_e/csj/csj.html
