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ANYCOLOR Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Riku Tazumi) (hereinafter, referred to as “ANYCOLOR”) reports on the activity of the Special Task Force to Combat Threatening Behavior and Defamation (hereinafter, referred to as the “Task Force“) set up in September 2020 for the purpose of combating threatening behavior such as stalking, defamation, or other abusive behavior on the Internet. 

◆  Number of Cases Handled
Covered period: September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 (hereinafter, referred to as the “Covered Period”) 
Number of cases handled: Approximately 90
*For the activity report released in September 2021, please see the following page. 
https://www.anycolor.co.jp/en/news/b-rkqlkpi
 
◆  Types of Behavior Handled by the Task Force 

Having established the Task Force, ANYCOLOR took various measures during the Covered Period against behavior such as the following: 

- Defamation 

- Violations of privacy rights 

- Copyright infringements (such as acts of using characters with indecent intent) 

- Intimidation such as sending death threats 

- Stalking 

- Trolling 

*ANYCOLOR defines trolling as behavior such as the following: 

- Posting comments during video streaming on video sharing sites such as YouTube in a way that indicates the intent to obstruct streaming 

- (i) Successively tweeting with a hashtag related to entertainers of ANYCOLOR (hereinafter, referred to as “Entertainers”) and/or ANYCOLOR, or (ii) successively posting replies that are out of context to Entertainers’ posts on social networking sites with the intent to obstruct activities of the Entertainers. 

- Impersonation using a SNS account with malicious intent 

 
◆  Outline of Measures Implemented
The Task Force took the following measures during the Covered Period. 
 

1 Against the infringement of rights on blog sites 

In response to articles posted on affiliate blog sites (including those for roundup blog posts) that were defamatory to, or infringed the privacy rights of, Entertainers, the Task Force requested the operators of the sites to delete such articles and prevent similar infringements in the future. 

In addition, the Task Force pursued both civil and criminal liabilities against the operators of affiliate blog sites that were found to be malicious by ANYCOLOR, after requesting their internet service providers or other relevant parties to disclose the identification information of the sender. 

*As of October 14, 2022, ANYCOLOR identified operator information of multiple affiliate sites that had infringed the rights of ANYCOLOR, by requesting the disclosure of identification information of the sender and is currently engaged in out-of-court negotiations to pursue liabilities of those operators. 

2  Against the infringement of rights on social networking sites
The Task Force requested the holders of Twitter and other SNS accounts whose posts had infringed Entertainers’ right of honor or privacy right to delete such posts, and reported them each time of such an incident to relevant SNS operators to prepare for cases in which those account holders do not comply.
In addition, in coordination with relevant Entertainers, the Task Force pursued both civil and criminal liabilities against account holders that were found to be malicious by ANYCOLOR, after requesting their internet service providers or other relevant parties to disclose the identification information of the sender.
The Task Force also took similar countermeasures against account holders that had posted malicious contents by way of impersonating Entertainers.
*By September 30, 2022, a case was settled with an account holder (adult woman) who had infringed an Entertainer’s right of honor and business right. Also, the Task Force is negotiating a settlement with an account holder (minority) as of October 14, 2022.
 
3  Against trolling

The Task Force pursued both civil and criminal liabilities against cases of trolling on video sharing sites such as YouTube or social networking sites such as Twitter that indicated the intent to obstruct the activities of, or defaming, Entertainers, on the ground of business right infringement or the obstruction of business. 

*A of October 14, 2022, we have two cases of trolling for which court proceedings for requesting disclosure of identification information of the sender, mainly on the ground of the infringement of business rights, are pending, while we have another trolling case on which we are preparing to file a petition for court proceedings. 

 
4  Against the infringements of rights that are taking place on internet bulletin boards
In response to internet bulletin board entries that could lead to the defamation of Entertainers and/or the infringements of their privacy rights, the Task Force requested the operators of the bulletin boards to delete the entries in coordination with such Entertainers. 
 
5  Against copyright infringements committed in a way that is defamatory to Entertainers

In response to collages of character images/three-dimensional models posted on video sharing sites or internet bulletin boards in a way that is defamatory to Entertainers, the Task Force requested the operators of the sites or bulletin boards to delete them on the ground of copyright infringements. 

*ANYCOLOR’s stance is to take resolute actions in response to copyright infringements committed in a way that is defamatory to Entertainers. The actions will involve pursuing liabilities on the ground of not only defamation but also copyright infringements and violations of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act (including criminal liabilities). 

 
6  Against death threats
In response to threats to harm Entertainers, such as death threats, the Task Force immediately filed reports with competent police stations and took measures to prevent any actual harm, including security arrangements in the neighborhood of relevant Entertainers’ residents. 

7  Against stalking

In response to stalking incidents, such as ambushing and one-sidedly and frequently contacting Entertainers, the Task Force warned the individuals engaging in the behavior, filed reports with competent police stations and worked toward the issuance of restraining orders. 

As stated above, the Task Force is taking various measures to counter infringements of Entertainers’ rights such as the right of honor and privacy right. 

During the Covered Period in particular, we took legal actions more actively in close coordination with law firms on retainer and competent police stations, to establish an environment for Entertainers to work with peace of mind and for fans to enjoy the contents of ANYCOLOR. 

ANYCOLOR will continue its efforts not to overlook, and take resolute action, against threatening behavior and defamation that has the malicious intent of unjustly infringing Entertainers’ rights. At the same time, we will further enhance our systems so that we can offer A Magical Experience to fans. 

Lastly, the general public can send reports on threatening behavior or defamation using the dedicated form on ANYCOLOR’s website. 

During the Covered Period, reports sent to us helped us identify and take concrete measures against behavior that had infringed Entertainers’ rights, as has been the case in the past. 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for the help and would appreciate your continued support in this matter.