Hard Labour for Anime Sharer

Anime Sharer vs Kyoto Court - Gundam Seed Battle

A man (34) has been sentenced to one and a half years of hard labour for the wicked crime of distributing anime online over dying P2P network Share, in what were the first arrests for Share use. The judge presiding, displaying an admirable understanding of the economics of intangible “property”, admonished him thus “It was like you were distributing bread you’d shoplifted from supermarket shelves”.

Read the rest of this entry »


Japan Plans Assault on Fansubbing

Stop fansunbs now? This at least doesn't have the backing of the Japanese government.

In their “Intellectual Property Strategic Program 2008”, the Japanese government proposes measures for curbing the unauthorised online sharing and distribution of anime and manga, in what could very well turn out to be an assault on fansubbing and the sharing of anime and other Japanese cultural products.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Tyrenol commented on October 4, 2008 07:40
  • Last I heard, from places like ANN and ICv2; Japan's anime industry makes anywhere between 22% to 66% in licensing fees for releases outside of Japan (and Asia). And so far, everything is pretty much "hand-me-downs"... More
  • Frostea commented on July 3, 2008 01:01
  • Whether they like it or not, fansubbing and scanlating will not die off until 100% of the fans have access to their daily/weekly/monthly dosage of anime/manga/visual novels/light novels at a speed equivalent or better than... More

NHK Cracks Down on Downloaders

Welcome to the NHK?

NHK, one of Japan’s larger TV networks, seem determined to stop unauthorised online distribution of their broadcasting, and to this end have announced digital fingerprinting technology intended to thoroughly curb the practice, though it seems it will be limited to their upcoming download service.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Asa commented on September 5, 2008 03:40
  • every technology have a back door =3 its just matter of time... More

Arrest for $30,000 Eroge Pirate

Arrest for $30,000 Eroge Pirate - Elf All-stars Strip Mahjong 3 / エルフオールスターズ脱衣雀3

Asahi reports that a Tokyo area student has been arrested on suspicion of unauthorised copying of Elf All-stars Strip Mahjong 3 (the ignominy – not even arrested over a decent game), amongst many others, but ardent P2P users can, for once, relax as this idiot was not arrested over P2P usage, as other unfortunates have been lately, but for loading the games (some 180, it is claimed) onto HDD and selling them in online auctions.

Apparently he managed a modest profit, selling a hundred drives over a year, and netting himself ¥3,000,000 (for study expenses, he pleas), though as you can see, the risk/reward ratio ultimately was hardly favourable. It seems he downloaded the software from a Chinese P2P service, presumably a torrent forum.


First Share Arrests

Laughing Man

It is being reported that three arrests have been made by Kyoto police for unauthorised distribution of copyrighted material (Gundam anime is mentioned) using anonymous P2P network Share, abortive successor to Winny, and these are the first arrests for using this network. Such reports do deserve critical reception, however, as they are inevitably presented such as to further the interests of law enforcement and copyright concerns, so some more careful analysis is required.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Edsamac commented on October 3, 2008 20:22
  • Calm the fuck down dude....... More
  • Darkside099 commented on September 30, 2008 05:26
  • FUCK THIS SHIT! SCREW YOU CAPITALIST SHITS!... More

P2P in Japan: Winny (RIP)

Winny is troubled

Anyone familiar with the file sharing networks peculiar to Japan will know Winny has long formed the mainstay, especially with successor Share having had development abandoned. However, Winny has fallen on hard times lately, and it may not be overstating the case to say that it is finally about to fade into irrelevance.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Artefact commented on July 4, 2008 16:34
  • Amusing bug in operation it seems...... More

Recent News

Recent Articles

Recent Comments

  • Anon on October 14, 2008 03:19
    Minamike 3rd Season to be Reformed Okawari?
  • I didn't care about the change in visual style in Okawari....that's only to be expected. What I disliked was the change in comedy/script....several episodes were... More
  • Mem on October 14, 2008 02:47
    Macross Ero-Itasha
  • Shopped I think, you can see a line of darker blue dividing the image from the background. Or at least thats what I see.... More
  • Kageryu on October 14, 2008 02:44
    Macross Ero-Itasha
  • I'm usually among the first to call shooped, but I dunno about this one. The design is unique, and there's a glossy coat on the... More
  • Quen on October 14, 2008 02:02
    Macross Ero-Itasha
  • That Ranka pic is lovely, and fits in well with Macross F since it is similar to the nude/undressing Ranka "nose-art" drawn on one... More
  • E.J. on October 14, 2008 01:49
    Macross Ero-Itasha
  • I want that first pic!, is the first time i see it so could be that it was custom made for this itasha.... More
  • Zero on October 14, 2008 01:18
    Tales of the Abyss Anime Sublime
  • If they manage to keep Jade's sarcastic attitude in the anime, then I'm all set, "oh no, I've been frail since birth *fakes cough*",... More
  • gordon on October 14, 2008 00:44
    Macross Ranka Lee Oppai Cosplay Buns
  • i want that ranka nyan nyan freebie! ^^;... More
  • Kiuki on October 14, 2008 00:29
    Dutch Harem
  • Someone is probably wishing those were all real girls...... More