Société Toho v. Société Les Films D'art and Others.

Abstract

Warfare on land — Appropriation, utilization and destruction of enemy property — Peace Treaty with Japan, 1951 (Article 14) — Provision for appropriation by Allied Powers of Japanese property rights and interests under their control — Seizure of Japanese film by United States authorities — Subsequent production of American film containing scenes from Japanese film — Action for breach of copyright by owners of copyright in Japanese film against distribitors of American film in France — Whether rights acquired by United States under Japanese Peace Treaty confined to United States territory — Whether rights of Japanese owner of copyright deemed to have been renounced — Whether protection under French copyright law and Berne Convention subsisting — The law of France.