Copyright and Use of Marugoto

This page explains how Marugoto coursebooks and materials on the Marugoto website (Audio files, Supplementary Materials, Resources for Teachers, etc.) may be used.
Please also refer to the Copyright section of the Site Policy before using these materials.

A．Using Marugoto in Class

[Marugoto Coursebooks]

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Q1．May I project or share the Marugoto coursebook during class?

In both face-to-face and online classes, you may project the entire Marugoto coursebook using a document camera or similar equipment. However, please note the following conditions:

  • All teachers and participants should have purchased their own copy of Marugoto.
  • The class should be limited to registered participants.
  • Please remind participants not to make audio or video recordings, take screenshots.

*If you share the e-book version on screen, please also comply with the terms and conditions of the e-book service you use.

Q2． May I record a class that uses Marugoto and make the recording available to participants?

Yes. However, please make sure that all of the following conditions are met.

  • All participants have purchased their own copy of Marugoto.
  • The recording is shared only through the designated platform for registered participants and is not distributed by email or other means.
  • A viewing period is set, and the recording is deleted promptly after the period ends (approximately one week).
  • Please remind participants not to make audio or video recordings of the class or take screenshots.

[Audio Files]

Q3．Is there anything I should keep in mind when using the downloaded audio files in class?

Please note the following.

  • Audio files may only be used for classes or training that use Marugoto. Please do not use the audio files on their own.
  • Please use the downloaded audio files as they are, without editing or modifying them in any way.
  • Please do not distribute the downloaded audio files to anyone, including participants.

[Examples of prohibited use]

  • Sharing audio files with others through cloud storage services.
  • Saving audio files on a school server or other shared system where people other than the person who downloaded them can access and use them.

[Supplementary Materials and Resources for Teachers]

Q4．May I distribute or share Supplementary Materials and Resources for Teachers?

You may share or distribute supplementary materials available under Download Materials and teacher’s materials available under Resources for Teachers free of charge to participants.
However, please do not make them available to the public on websites, social media, cloud storage services, or other online platforms, whether free of charge or for a fee.
Please also remind participants not to redistribute these materials.

Q5．May I teach a course using only the Supplementary Materials or Resources for Teachers from the Marugoto website?

You may use these materials for educational or training purposes, whether commercial or non-commercial. This also applies to private tutors.
However, please use them only within the scope permitted under Sections 3 and 4 of the Copyright provisions in the Site Policy.

*Please note that different rules apply to audio files. See Section A. Q3 of this page for details.

B．Creating and Distributing Teaching Materials

[Marugoto Coursebooks]

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Q1．May I create teaching materials or exercises based on Marugoto?

If Marugoto has been adopted for your educational or training program, and both teachers and participants have purchased their own copy, you may create worksheets, exercises, tests, and other teaching materials.
You may use the following:

  • Text
  • Illustrations
  • Cover images (without modification)
  • Logos (without modification)

You may not use the following:

  • Photographs
  • Changed character names

*You may use character illustrations, but please do not change the characters' names.

Q2． May I distribute materials or exercises created from Marugoto to participants?

You may distribute the materials free of charge to participants.
When distributing materials online, please take reasonable steps to prevent redistribution. For example, you may protect the files with a password or limit access to participants only.
Also, please do not sell the materials or make them available to the public on websites or other platforms, whether free of charge or for a fee.

Q3． May teachers at the same institution share teaching materials created from Marugoto?

If each teacher has purchased their own copy of Marugoto, teachers at the same institution may share classroom slides, exercises, and other teaching materials created from Marugoto for educational or training purposes. (For details on creating teaching materials, please refer to Section B. Q1 of this page)
However, please do not share if that materials contain embedded audio files. See B. Q6 for details.

Q4．May I photocopy Marugoto coursebooks and distribute them to participants?

Please do not photocopy all or part of a Marugoto coursebook and distribute it to participants.
Please make sure that each teacher and participant has their own copy.

Q5． May I scan a Marugoto coursebook and use or share the scanned data?

Please do not scan all or part of a Marugoto coursebook.
Please also do not keep, use, share, or make scanned data available to others or to the public.

[Audio Files]

Q6． May I embed audio files in classroom slides or other teaching materials?

You may embed audio files in classroom slides or other teaching materials.
However, please use the audio files as they are, without editing or modifying them in any way.
Please do not distribute materials containing embedded audio files to anyone, including other teachers or participants.

Q7．May I copy, edit, or cut audio files?

You may make copies of the audio files for your own study.
However:

  • Please do not distribute the copies to others, whether free of charge or for a fee.
  • Please do not make them available to the public on websites, etc.
  • Please also refrain from cutting, editing, or modifying the audio files in any way.
Q8． May I distribute downloaded audio files to participants or share them with others?

No. Each user, including participants, should download audio files directly from the Marugoto website.
Please do not distribute downloaded audio files to others.

[Supplementary Materials and Resources for Teachers]

Q9．May I edit Supplementary Materials and Resources for Teachers? May I distribute the edited versions?

You may edit supplementary materials and resources for teachers.
However, please refrain from making changes that turn them into something completely different from the original materials.
You may use the edited materials in class and distribute them free of charge to participants.
However, please do not make them available to the public on websites or other platforms, whether free of charge or for a fee.
Please also remind participants not to redistribute them.

C．Other Uses

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Q1．May I translate Marugoto and publish or sell the translation?

No. Please do not translate and publish, share, or sell the translation of Marugoto coursebooks without permission.

Q2．May I copy or edit Marugoto coursebooks or Supplementary Materials for self-study purposes?

You can copy and edit Marugoto coursebooks and Supplementary Materials as long as you use them for self-study purposes.
However, please do not distribute the copied or edited materials to others, whether free of charge or for a fee.
Please also do not make them available to the public on websites or other platforms.

Q3． I teach Japanese outside Japan. Does this policy still apply?

Yes. This policy also applies outside Japan.

Q4． Does this policy also apply to Marugoto Online Course and Marugoto Plus?

Please refer to the separate terms and policies for each service.