The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) of Japan signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on April 1, 2026, one with the France-based Alliance for Manga and Webtoon (AMW), and the other with the French media and communications regulator ARCOM; with the intent to establish a cooperative framework for anti-piracy measures.
AMW is an organization established in 2025 at the initiative of Mangas.io, a major French online manga distribution platform. The organization consists of manga and webtoon publishers and distribution companies in France and operates to promote the legitimate distribution of manga within the country.
Why France?
France is regarded as the second-largest consumer of manga in the world after Japan, strengthened cooperation with France in anti-piracy efforts is highly significant for the protection of Japanese content and the promotion of legitimate distribution.
To emphasize its importance, the signing of the MOUs with the French organizations was held at The National Art Center, Tokyo, and was attended by the French Minister of Culture, Catherine Pégard. It coincided with the visit of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to Japan.
CODA-ACE MOU renewed
A week after signing the French agreements, CODA announced the sixth renewal of its MOU with ACE, the MPA’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment; signed on April 10, 2026, at MPA headquarters in Washington, D.C..
CODA and MPA began their cooperation in 2005 through a business alliance focused on combating physical piracy in the Asia region. Since then, they have conducted joint enforcement activities primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in tens of thousands of enforcement actions.
When MPA finds pirated copies of Japanese content through their investigations, CODA joins forces to take appropriate measures against the infringer. Their Joint Enforcement Agreement provides a framework to seek further supports from local regulatory bodies in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Why it matters
The MOUs by CODA with AMW, and ARCOM will leverage their respective expertise and experience to promote information sharing and strengthen cooperation in anti-piracy efforts, with the aim of enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights in both Japan and France.
The CODA-MPA agreement further strengthens a long-standing collaboration in combating online copyright infringement and promoting copyright protection activities.
Further reading
CODA Signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with French Manga-Related Organization and Media Regulatory Authority. Press release. April 17, 2026. CODA (Content Overseas Dstribution Association), Japan.
CODA Renewed MOU with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) on Anti-Piracy Measures. Press release. April 14, 2026. CODA (Content Overseas Dstribution Association), Japan.
