Regarding the Cover Replacement of Hiroshi's Book (Due to be Published by Gentosha) Subject to a Provisional Disposition Application

Regarding the book written by Hiroshi Okawa, due to be published by Gentosha Inc., an illustration that clearly imitated and partially retouched a photograph taken by a staff member of Happy Science and an image of a religious stole made by Happy Science staff were used on its cover. Thus, on Thursday, September 7, Happy Science filed a petition for a preliminary injunction at the Tokyo District Court against Gentosha, seeking to block the publication of the book, citing copyright infringement and infringement of moral rights.

Since the court was likely to grant a preliminary injunction, Gentosha Inc. decided to replace the cover on Wednesday, September 13. Happy Science then confirmed the certificate of destruction of the book cover on September 15.

Happy Science strongly urges Gentosha Inc. to revise its sloppy editorial system that easily prints copyright-infringing covers.

Public Relations Division, Happy Science Group