Makihara Wins Suit Against Leiji Matsumoto for Repeated Copyright Accusations

In late 2006, Leiji Matsumoto accused J-Pop singer Noriyuki Makihara of plagiarizing lyrics from the Galaxy Express 999 manga, and announced that he would like to hear an apology from Makihara. In 2007, Makihara Noriyuk filed a 22 million yen lawsuit against Leiji Matsumoto for "repeated demands for an apology and false accusation." Now Daily Yomiuri Online reports that the Tokyo District Court has ordered Leiji Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen in compensation for defaming Noriyuki Makihara:

The Tokyo District Court has ordered renowned manga artist Reiji Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen in compensation for defaming popular singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara in a case concerning Matsumoto's claim that Makihara wrote a song using words taken from one of his comics without permission.

Presiding Judge Misao Shimizu ruled Friday the phrases in question could not be considered overly similar and he ordered Matsumoto to pay compensation for saying on a TV program that Makihara had admitted plagiarism.

References:
- Makihara Sues Leiji Matsumoto for Repeated Copyright Accusations (2007-03-24)
- Leiji Matsumoto Accuses J-Pop Singer Noriyuki Makihara of Plagiarizing Galaxy Express 999 Lyrics (2006-11-02)

Sources:
- Daily Yomiuri Online reports
- ANN