Key Facts

• Kodansha filed a lawsuit in Russia over copyright infringement by IQ Art Management LLC
• The dispute involved unauthorized paid exhibitions using 18 titles including Attack on Titan
• The events took place in St. Petersburg from April to October 2023
• On April 7, 2025, the court ruled in favor of Kodansha for 15 of the 18 works
• The court ordered IQ Art Management LLC to pay 3.75 million rubles in damages and 26,000 rubles in court fees

Kodansha announced on July 9 that a copyright lawsuit filed in Russia against IQ Art Management LLC concluded with a confirmed ruling on June 24, 2025. The case involved unauthorized paid exhibitions of 18 titles, including Attack on Titan, held in St. Petersburg between April and October 2023. The court largely upheld Kodansha’s claims and ordered compensation.

What Kodansha Announced

Kodansha reported on July 9 that a legal dispute concerning unauthorized use of its intellectual property had officially ended in Russia. The company had filed a lawsuit against Russian firm IQ Art Management LLC at the Leningrad Regional Arbitration Court. Kodansha confirmed that the ruling became final on June 24, 2025, with no appeals filed by either party.

According to Kodansha, the dispute stemmed from a paid exhibition event organized by IQ Art Management LLC in St. Petersburg. The event featured displays of 18 Kodansha titles, including Attack on Titan, without permission from the rights holder. Kodansha became aware of this unauthorized activity in early July 2023 and responded by initiating legal action on July 4, 2024.

In its official statement, Kodansha emphasized that the final ruling represented a clear stance against deliberate copyright infringement through unlicensed events. The company described the outcome as highly significant from the perspective of international copyright protection.

Details of the Copyright Lawsuit

The case was heard at the Leningrad Regional Arbitration Court. Kodansha’s complaint focused on the unauthorized use of 18 of its works by IQ Art Management LLC during a commercial exhibition held in St. Petersburg between April and October 2023.

After reviewing the evidence, the court issued its decision on April 7, 2025. The court recognized copyright infringement in 15 of the 18 works presented and ruled mostly in favor of Kodansha’s claims. IQ Art Management LLC was ordered to pay 3.75 million rubles in damages as well as an additional 26,000 rubles in court fees.

As no appeal was filed within the designated period, the ruling became final on June 24, 2025. Kodansha emphasized the importance of this legal outcome in reinforcing that unauthorized commercial use of copyrighted content is unacceptable.

Availability and Schedule

The infringement occurred during a commercial exhibition held in St. Petersburg, Russia, from April to October 2023. Kodansha became aware of the event in early July 2023 and filed the lawsuit on July 4, 2024. The final ruling was delivered on April 7, 2025, and was confirmed on June 24, 2025, as neither Kodansha nor IQ Art Management LLC filed an appeal.

In its statement, Kodansha reiterated its commitment to protecting copyright domestically and internationally. The company stated that it would continue to respond strictly to any form of infringement, including unlicensed events, in order to safeguard the rights of creators and readers.

FAQ

Q: When did Kodansha file the lawsuit against IQ Art Management LLC?
A: Kodansha filed the lawsuit on July 4, 2024, in the Leningrad Regional Arbitration Court.

Q: What works were involved in the copyright infringement case?
A: The case involved 18 works including Attack on Titan.

Q: When did the court issue its ruling?
A: The court issued its ruling on April 7, 2025.

Q: What damages were awarded to Kodansha?
A: The court awarded 3.75 million rubles in damages and 26,000 rubles in court fees.

Q: When did the ruling become final?
A: The ruling became final on June 24, 2025, as no appeals were filed.

Source : ORICON NEWS