This article is one of several we have posted on this topic. Personally, this one helped me see that illegal use of Kumamon’s image is being cited as a reason for opening the system up. The rationale strikes me as similar to that for the legalization of pot in the U.S. – people are going to do it regardless so the government may as well try to regulate it and earn some revenue in the process.
“Many fake items based on the mascot have been reported outside Japan. A bath facility in Shanghai even used a Kumamon look-alike to promote itself without permission. The prefectural government has raised a protest for each violation uncovered. In the Jan. 15 meeting, a prefectural government official told the companies that there is no option but to enable Kumamon’s overseas use and collect fees to protect the brand image of the mascot.”
– Kirk
