Tokyo, January 18, 2022, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has entered into a business alliance with Gaudiy Inc. (Gaudiy), a Tokyo-based enterprise engaged in block-chain technology driven fan-economy^*1 business. The business alliance aims to create businesses based on new Intellectual Property (IP), including animation, manga and games.

*1:Fan economy refers to a new economy where fans' support and creative activities generate value, which is properly evaluated and returned to fans

Metaverse-related initiatives that link virtual space on websites and applications with the real world are making increasing inroads into the business area both in Japan and overseas. There are great expectations for block-chain technology regarding the exchange of non-pirated, legitimate IP.

DNP maintains hybrid strengths in both real and virtual reality (VR), digital and analogue, along with manufacturing and services, while Gaudiy is promoting the creation of a fan economy based on cutting edge technology, such as block-chain. As a result of the business alliance, the partners will push ahead with joint research targeting the creation of a new contents service.

Joint Research Key Concepts

Key Points of Business Alliances

• DNP maintains strengths in proprietary printing and information (P&I) technologies, including a myriad of expression technologies, and the know-how to process huge amounts of information in a safe and secure manner in a high level security environment. We also operate an Extended Reality (XR) communications business that creates new experience value through the integration of the real and virtual while cooperating with a variety of partners. For further information regarding our XR communications business, in Japanese, please visit https://www.dnp.co.jp/biz/solution/products/detail/10159318_1567.html
• Gaudiy is a start-up promoting the creation of a fan economy utilizing digital technology centered on block-chain under a mission of, “moving the times forward with our fans.” In collaboration with major contents holders, Gaudiy is developing community services that directly connect content and fans in areas such as manga, animation, games, sports and music aiming to resolve the challenges of the entertainment industry. With strengths in block-chain related cutting edge technologies, beginning with Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), unique identification information designed to prevent the forgery and duplication of digital contents, the company aims to develop a global business based on Japanese contents.
• Through this business alliance the partners will combine our respective technologies and know-how for the further development of the content industry. We will promote joint research designed to create value creation in new fields, beginning with the Metaverse, and a Future Fan Service.
• The partners will use NFT to promote the proper distribution of various contents and provide a venue where numerous fans can fully appreciate the charm of the various contents. We will develop an attractive service that links the real with the virtual, and create a virtual community where fans can gather and collect goods and items connected with their favorite popular idols and characters. We will also offer of a venue where fans can interact with each other to support the contents they like. 

Company Introductions

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd
Major business areas: The printing industry made up of the Information Communications Division, Lifestyle and Industrial Suppliers Division, electronics Division.
Head office: Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo
President: Yoshinari Kitajima
URL: https://www.dnp.co.jp/eng

Gaudiy Inc.
Major business areas: Block-chain technology driven fan-economy business
Head office: Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo
CEO: Yuya Ishikawa
URL: https://hp.gaudiy.com