MGM Resorts Osaka IR Promotion Gets Flak For Unauthorized Use of Japanese Artworks

Summary:

• MGM International apologized for using the works of two Japanese artists without their permission
• The matter is being investigated by Osaka officials
• MGM Resorts recently obtained approval to develop an integrated resort in Osaka

MGM Resorts Japan, the Japanese arm of the US-based casino operator MGM Resorts International, has been criticized for using the works of two Japanese artists without their permission.

Images of the popular “Aomori Dog” sculpture created by Yoshitomo Nara, and the multicolor “Flowers” motif by Takashi Murakami appeared on promotional materials for an integrated resort project in Osaka which recently obtained approval from the national government. MGM Resorts Japan and Orix Corp are both involved in the project, partnering with the Osaka city and prefecture governments.

Artworks Used Without Approval from Artists

After obtaining certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for their proposed IR complex, the local governments of Osaka shared images of Nara and Murakami’s works with various media outlets. They would form part of the design of the casino resort which has got resident apporoval. But it emerged the images were used without prior permission from the two artists.

Nara took to Twitter to express his disappointment, asserting that nobody approached him to ask for approval to use his work. Even if the parties in question had asked for permission, Nara would have declined anyway as he doesn’t support casino business.

Officials from Osaka’s Integrated Resort Promotion Bureau stated that they used the artists’ works in the belief that both Orix Corp and MGM Resorts Japan, which supplied the images to the Osaka city and prefecture governments, obtained the necessary consent.
The Bureau revealed that a third party even raised concern over a possible violation of copyright laws when the video footage featuring the images was developed back in October 2021.

When the agency’s officials reached out to MGM Resorts about the matter, the company confirmed it had permission to use the images.
Describing the incident as “truly regrettable”, the Bureau’s Director General Atsunori Sakamoto said they are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized use of the images. The local governments of Osaka also said they have removed all videos containing the copyrighted works.

MGM Admits to “Careless Mistake”

MGM Resorts Japan released a statement on the issue where it confirmed it’s highly likely that the company did not obtain the artists’ consent. The operator apologized to Nara and Murakami and admitted it was a careless mistake.

The company said it did not intend to use the artists’ works without permission.