ATTN: CUSTOMIZERS

[ae_productions]

Where they're going... *removes sunglasses* they'll have plenty of time for customs.

Where they're going... *removes sunglasses* they'll learn the real meaning of kaMEN riders.

That was funny. And wrong. Fuong.

Seriously, pretty soon you won't be able to breathe without some tight ass suing you.

[Peabody]

Don't worry, no one in America even knows what "communist" or "socialist" means, it's just something they throw around, like when they say "democracy".

I`m Australian and I know what all those words mean. Of course China operates in the world`s market economy (most of the means of production however are still controlled by the Chinese State domestically) but that doesn`t mean they respect IP law at all. In fact they absolutely do not, because they are Communists among other reasons.

Edited January 31, 2011 by Peabody

[azrael]

Enough of the CSI and "do-you-even-know-what-a-communist"-yapping. Get back on topic.

[Peabody]

That was funny. And wrong. Fuong.

Seriously, pretty soon you won't be able to breathe without some tight ass suing you.

Excuse me but since when does setting up an ongoing business based on someone else`s characters, consisting of a website, prices, detailed pictures and ordering information completely harmless?

The site in question clearly is making money from characters a company has spent good money copyrighting to derive future income streams from.

If the guy customised the figures, displayed them and maybe even sold one or two in private transactions it would be completely legal and harmless but come on, listing prices on the site and having multiple products available is pretty blatantly IP infringement. If it isn`t then what is IP infringement in your opinion? Should IP law even exist in your opinion or should all characters and creations be able to be used by anyone in any way after they are created? Genuinely interested to know your opinion and reason as to why you have that opinion.

[eugimon]

I`m Australian and I know what all those words mean. Of course China operates in the world`s market economy (most of the means of production however are still controlled by the Chinese State domestically) but that doesn`t mean they respect IP law at all. In fact they absolutely do not, because they are Communists among other reasons.

Whatever dude, you're just throwing around words and ideas and applying them to a situation that doesn't even begin to approach them.

[Peabody]

Whatever dude, you're just throwing around words and ideas and applying them to a situation that doesn't even begin to approach them.

No I`m not, fundamentally Communists like sharing. That covers their approach to IP law aswell, they completely have no respect for ownership.

[Renato]

No I`m not, fundamentally Communists like sharing. That covers their approach to IP law aswell, they completely have no respect for ownership.

To "like sharing" = having "no respect for ownership"? I think you've missed a few logic steps.

Either way, communication through exchanges of ideas and creations has kept human culture varied and rich up until recent decades. Music, technology, art, biological research, all of these things benefit from a healthy pool of giving and taking. Overtly protected copyrights and patents only serve to stifle progress, not just in terms of "aw, those guys can't play with their toys!" but also in more serious terms, including creating hurdles in finding new cures for illnesses.

I don't think that situations such as the one we have been discussing should be viewed in black-and-white, right-or-wrong terms. I am for the idea that IP should be accredited, but I believe there is a moral limit to how relentlessly one ought to pursue this, when weighed against the costs to others.

EDITED for greater clarity

Edited January 31, 2011 by Renato

[azrael]

Last warning. Next person to talk about Communists, CSI, or anything that has nothing to do with this topic gets a ban and the thread locked.

[Jasonc]

The only thing I can think of with these guys getting busted, is if they simply recasted an original, and kept on recasting the licensed product, then modded it and sold it. In that case, then they are replicating a bought product. Kinda like if somebody bought a music CD, then made numerous copies of it and sold those copies. That's the only thing I can think of.

[ae_productions]

The only thing I can think of with these guys getting busted, is if they simply recasted an original, and kept on recasting the licensed product, then modded it and sold it. In that case, then they are replicating a bought product. Kinda like if somebody bought a music CD, then made numerous copies of it and sold those copies. That's the only thing I can think of.

I was under the impression that they made their own original molds.

Edited February 2, 2011 by ae_productions

[Renato]

The only thing I can think of with these guys getting busted, is if they simply recasted an original, and kept on recasting the licensed product, then modded it and sold it. In that case, then they are replicating a bought product. Kinda like if somebody bought a music CD, then made numerous copies of it and sold those copies. That's the only thing I can think of.

Well, I don't think that's what they were doing. From my point of view, a closer analogy would be a crackdown on a band performing Beatles covers, then selling their recordings. Even though the arrangements are all theirs, they do not have the right to sell those melodies.

[TheLoneWolf]

I'm no expert on Japanese law, but I've noticed a recent trend where Japanese copyright law is being strictly enforced by their court system. And from my limited knowledge of Japanese copyright law itself, it seems like it's crafted in a very strict manner with few exemptions. In the past, it may have appeared that their copyright laws were somewhat relaxed, but that was probably because Japanese copyright holders weren't as litigious as they are now. If a case is brought before a Japanese court, and if the law offers almost no protection to a copyright infringer, then the judges have no choice but to enforce the law as it's written.

To me, the problem appears to be two-fold. First, Japanese law should be revised so as to strike a healthy balance between copyright holders and users. Second, Japanese copyright holders should be more judicious in picking their legal fights. While both situations constitute copyright infringement, a one-off custom toy should not be prosecuted to the same extent as a bootlegger who manufactures hundreds of toys.

[Peabody]

Even if that one off sells for close to $1000? Yeah I have noticed the tightening of Japanese copyright law. Recently Levis in Japan cracked down on all the vintage reproduction jeans makers who used Levis style arcs and a red tab on the back pockets of their jeans.

[Hikuro]

I've been attacked by Bandai and Toei several times over the years with the fan dubs some of you know I produce. mainly to A) show interest in the community that fans would like a proper english variation, B) show off talents of myself, and the actors, and C) because it's a fun little hobby that really doesn't do any damage. I offer these videos for streaming only as I've had my videos stolen before in the past and presented as bootlegs from other countries as an official english production sold over ebay and international dvd retailers (RedSunDVD.com for ie) which upon evidence to those places have discontinued selling those said DVD's.

Fans over the years of Youtube's coronation of being the best online stream site available have posted clips of their favorite shows in their original aired version, and in AMV's....a small percentage of these videos rarely ever get knocked for Copyright Infringements...infact several of my works had stayed up longer than others.

What gets to me is that some videos people post are down right horrible and dishonorable to the fan community of said video, while others are very talented and amazing to watch over and over again...sometimes those type of videos are what get C&D'ed and go buh-bye.

Not long ago, youtube started offering money to popular videos which hit a 20K view hit if you signed your video up after recieving notification from them. Each time I got an email from them I had the option to opt out and every time I would. I did not wish to make any kind of profit in any form for my videos as that to me didn't feel right to myself, the cast who helped and studios.

I've just about given up as Bandai makes it increasingly difficult for me to show off my work to fans or to even land a job I'd like to have some day which is to work in the ADR field. Way to go Bandai, instead of offering me a job, you stomp me and cast in the balls.

[Gubaba]

I've been attacked by Bandai and Toei several times over the years with the fan dubs some of you know I produce. mainly to A) show interest in the community that fans would like a proper english variation, B) show off talents of myself, and the actors, and C) because it's a fun little hobby that really doesn't do any damage. I offer these videos for streaming only as I've had my videos stolen before in the past and presented as bootlegs from other countries as an official english production sold over ebay and international dvd retailers (RedSunDVD.com for ie) which upon evidence to those places have discontinued selling those said DVD's.

Fans over the years of Youtube's coronation of being the best online stream site available have posted clips of their favorite shows in their original aired version, and in AMV's....a small percentage of these videos rarely ever get knocked for Copyright Infringements...infact several of my works had stayed up longer than others.

What gets to me is that some videos people post are down right horrible and dishonorable to the fan community of said video, while others are very talented and amazing to watch over and over again...sometimes those type of videos are what get C&D'ed and go buh-bye.

Not long ago, youtube started offering money to popular videos which hit a 20K view hit if you signed your video up after recieving notification from them. Each time I got an email from them I had the option to opt out and every time I would. I did not wish to make any kind of profit in any form for my videos as that to me didn't feel right to myself, the cast who helped and studios.

I've just about given up as Bandai makes it increasingly difficult for me to show off my work to fans or to even land a job I'd like to have some day which is to work in the ADR field. Way to go Bandai, instead of offering me a job, you stomp me and cast in the balls.

And I believe your English version of DYRL is currently Doug Bendo's most popular "podcast episode."

[Renato]

I've been attacked by Bandai and Toei several times over the years with the fan dubs some of you know I produce. mainly to A) show interest in the community that fans would like a proper english variation, B) show off talents of myself, and the actors, and C) because it's a fun little hobby that really doesn't do any damage. I offer these videos for streaming only as I've had my videos stolen before in the past and presented as bootlegs from other countries as an official english production sold over ebay and international dvd retailers (RedSunDVD.com for ie) which upon evidence to those places have discontinued selling those said DVD's.

Fans over the years of Youtube's coronation of being the best online stream site available have posted clips of their favorite shows in their original aired version, and in AMV's....a small percentage of these videos rarely ever get knocked for Copyright Infringements...infact several of my works had stayed up longer than others.

What gets to me is that some videos people post are down right horrible and dishonorable to the fan community of said video, while others are very talented and amazing to watch over and over again...sometimes those type of videos are what get C&D'ed and go buh-bye.

Not long ago, youtube started offering money to popular videos which hit a 20K view hit if you signed your video up after recieving notification from them. Each time I got an email from them I had the option to opt out and every time I would. I did not wish to make any kind of profit in any form for my videos as that to me didn't feel right to myself, the cast who helped and studios.

I've just about given up as Bandai makes it increasingly difficult for me to show off my work to fans or to even land a job I'd like to have some day which is to work in the ADR field. Way to go Bandai, instead of offering me a job, you stomp me and cast in the balls.

Thanks for taking the time to write about this. Could I ask what in particular Bandai/Toei told you? Was it a straight-up cease-and-desist with threats of legal action? Or were you notified indirectly through Youtube, pointing to a general claim filed by the Bandai et al?

Now that Youtube is getting rid of time-limits on upload for some accounts, I can imagine copyright holders becoming more anxious to shut stuff down, without even watching it properly.

I wonder if Bandai even realized that Hikuro's work was not the work of professionals, but fans doing it for love of the craft.

[Hikuro]

And I believe your English version of DYRL is currently Doug Bendo's most popular "podcast episode."

Thanks for bringing that up, he's got 2 episodes, 1 the DYRL music video, the other is the entire 1hr55min movie in audio format...not to happy about that. I may have to email the guy later when i got more time as he NEVER asked permission by me to use that audio.

as for Bandai/Toei it was through Youtube, I messaged bandai and Toei but I never got any responses out of them.