Is downloading Toku as illegal as downloading music?

[UltraMatt]

I've just sworn to stop downloading music for my iPod illegally after reading several incidents of stupid parents being sent to prison after their children were caught downloading music illegally using programmes such as Kazaa, Napster and LimeWire etc.... From now on I'm buying my songs for my iPod, a mere 79p, but then again I could just BUY CDs and keep them and upload them onto my iPod. But then it occured to me, are the torrents that anarion and Nihon, as well as other fan sub groups, illegal to download??

 

[Mega Ranger]

Short answer: Yes

Long Answer: Not really. Downloading anything from a fan-sub group is techniclly illigal. they do not own the distrobution rights and are therefore pushing stolen materiel. However because it's in the USA and there is no domestic distrobution laws, there are no American companies that care at all about these subs. it's only when they become licensed that most fansubbers stop because the Companies would pursue legal action (such as Bandai did With Gundam Seed). So until we see Licensed Toku other than Tiga and Hakaider out there....it's not like you'll be getting a human booster shot from a guy named Molly.

 

[UltraMatt]

Short answer: Yes

Long Answer: Not really. Downloading anything from a fan-sub group is techniclly illigal. they do not own the distrobution rights and are therefore pushing stolen materiel. However because it's in the USA and there is no domestic distrobution laws, there are no American companies that care at all about these subs. it's only when they become licensed that most fansubbers stop because the Companies would pursue legal action (such as Bandai did With Gundam Seed). So until we see Licensed Toku other than Tiga and Hakaider out there....it's not like you'll be getting a human booster shot from a guy named Molly.

So in other words I can continue to download fansubs from TV-Nihon and RAWs from Anarion and not get convicted?

 

[Space Sheriff Gavan]

It probably is illegal, but it shouldn't be if you can't purchase it. Like, say, for example, you wanted to download the theme song to Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger, but there are no CDs currently in print ANYWHERE(asia included) that have said song. Does it still count as illegal?

 

[Kyusaku]

Short answer: Yes

Long Answer: Not really. Downloading anything from a fan-sub group is techniclly illigal. they do not own the distrobution rights and are therefore pushing stolen materiel. However because it's in the USA and there is no domestic distrobution laws, there are no American companies that care at all about these subs. it's only when they become licensed that most fansubbers stop because the Companies would pursue legal action (such as Bandai did With Gundam Seed). So until we see Licensed Toku other than Tiga and Hakaider out there....it's not like you'll be getting a human booster shot from a guy named Molly.

Or unless Japanese companies decide to take action like Media Factory did.

 

[Supernovametalstar]

Or unless Japanese companies decide to take action like Media Factory did.

So why won't they realize they have a market stateside and put out DVD sets where we can buy them. I would gladly hand over $60-$100 for a complete official Kamen Rider or Super Sentai series in a Suncoast or Virgin Megastore.

 

[Aoi Kurenai]

So why won't they realize they have a market stateside and put out DVD sets where we can buy them. I would gladly hand over $60-$100 for a complete official Kamen Rider or Super Sentai series in a Suncoast or Virgin Megastore.

Could be why the Ultraman movie has English subs, probably not though.

The shows weren't made for an English speaking market, so it's not something they need to put their attention on. Most Japanese already shell out $60-$100 for normal three to four episode DVD.

 

[Space Sheriff Gavan]

Could be why the Ultraman movie has English subs, probably not though.

The shows weren't made for an English speaking market, so it's not something they need to put their attention on. Most Japanese already shell out $60-$100 for normal three to four episode DVD.

I would pay that for a domestic box set of Zyuranger (all episodes) with good subtitle work (not changing the names to fit with PR either). But they won't release that ever. You know they won't, I know they won't. As much as we ALL love these shows, it just isn't considered "marketable" to a mature audience. At least not enough of an audience for them to turn a considerable profit. Cause if there was, hell, they would have already done it

 

[Jedah Crow]

Downloading toku or any fansubs for that matter is illegal. It's just that Japanese choose to turn a blind eye to it as it spreads word of mouth on their products and doesn't negatively effect their domestic sales.

However in the past two years, anime studios and their western liscensors have started to crackdown on fansubs of product that's already been liscensed for North American and European distribution. Now that the bubble has burst for the anime industry's economy, these companies are becoming more vigilant over anything that can potentially hinder their business.

 

[Keith Justice]

Nobody but us cares about Toku.

Egotistical musicians that stand to lose billions care about music.

So... we're cool.