Japanese, U.S. Manga Publishers Unite To Fight Scanlations

[Netto Azure]

The crackdown has begun. For those of us who try to keep up with the latest Bleach, or SJ, or whatever manga we read through the web will now be "nudged" into the regular economy.

But sadly, you know the reasons as to why the "Con" side is arguing against. But yes there are those of us who do this and will be affected by this.

Japanese, U.S. Manga Publishers Unite To Fight Scanlations ​

An international coalition of Japanese and American-based manga publishers have joined together to combat what they call the “rampant and growing problem” of scanlations, the practice of posting scanned and translated editions of Japanese comics online without permission of the copyright holders. The group is threatening legal action against 30 scanlation sites.

The effort brings together the 36 member Japanese Digital Comic Association—which includes such major Japanese houses as Kodansha, Shogakukan and Shueisha—as well as manga publisher Square Enix, the Tuttle-Mori Agency and U.S.-based manga publishers Vertical Inc, Viz Media, Tokyopop and Yen Press, the manga/graphic novel imprint of the Hachette Book Group.

A spokesperson for the coalition said the effort shows that Japanese publishers—who license the majority of manga sold in the U.S.—are taking an aggressive interest in combating manga piracy outside of Japan as well as inside the country. The group charges that the former fan-driven practice of scanlating—begun in the 1970s, fans later began to scan, translate and post manga online at a time when it was difficult to find manga outside of Japan—has been transformed by “scanlation aggregators,” heavily trafficked, for-profit Web sites that host thousands of pirated manga editions and offer them for free to readers.
According to a spokesperson, these sites are among the most heavily trafficked sites on the web attracting millions of visits each month while earning advertising revenues and even soliciting donations and sometimes charging for memberships. The group also charges that pirated manga is now beginning to turn up on smartphones and other wireless devices through the use of apps developed “solely to link to and republish the content of scanlations sites.”
A spokesperson said that “we are left with no other alternative but to take aggressive action. It is our sincere hope that offending sites will take it upon themselves to immediately cease their activities. Where this is not the case, however, we will seek injunctive relief and statutory damages.” The group is also aggressively reporting violations to the “federal authorities, including the anti-piracy units of the Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and FBI.” While the group has yet to file any lawsuits and has declined to name specific scanlators, sites such as *Deleted* have long been identified as major scanlation aggregators.
After several years of booming manga sales in the U.S. that drove the popularity of comics and graphic novels in the traditional book market, sales of manga in the U.S. have declined more than 30% from a high of $210 million in 2007 to $140 million in sales in 2009, according to pop culture news site ICv2.com. Many manga publishers and retailers who used to believe that scanlations actually attracted new readers, now blame the sales decline on the rise of giant for-profit scanlation sites that have allowed a new generation of fans to grow up reading manga for free online.
“Go back 2 years and track these sites and you’ll find an inverse relationship between the rise of traffic on these scanlation sites and the decline in U.S. manga sales,” said Kurt Hassler, publishing director of Yen Press and a former graphic novel and manga buyer for Borders Books and Music. Hassler points out that early fan-driven scanlation sites were aimed at making manga available overseas at a time when English translations of manga were rare. Indeed these fan scanlators would remove their online translations when the books were licensed for the English-language market.
That’s no longer the case, said Hassler. “These sites are run as businesses and include direct scans of licensed English-language manga editions. Some even include our copyright notices. We don’t want to have to do this but publishers are now focused on this problem.”​

 

[Our Wasted Years]

As much as they'll try, they will never be able to stop manga scans from being uploaded on the next, cleaned and translated and then put up on a website.

People will still get their manga, but probably just not as fast each week.

 

[Luna Tiger]

As much as they'll try, they will never be able to stop manga scans from being uploaded on the next, cleaned and translated and then put up on a website.

It just won't be as readily available to find, which will stop a lot of people from finding it and forces them to purchase or leaf through it when available in physical volume format.

Not to mention, if the licensed publishers ask or demand the more-easily found manga-reading sites (most, if not all, have "manga" in the title) to bar continuation of posting the new chapters, that right there is a big staunch to the problem.

No site wants to face legal action.

 

[Steven]

Especially when, in the case of Viz, it would be against one of Japan's largest business groups!

Ah, how unfortunately rightful it is for them all to be doing this! ^^;

(A bit unorthodox to be quoting someone behind me in posting, but so as to not post again so soon...)

Im not only agaisnt "scanslations" because it steals money that the writer deserves, but I also HATE HATE HATE terrible/unofficial translations. HATE. You know how how many people still thought that it was "technician" even when an offical funimation translation came out for Soul Eater? Then again were talking about manga, but I guareentee that it happens in scanslations as well.

FullMetal Alchemist come to mind, anyone?

 

[Senzura]

Im not only agaisnt "scanslations" because it steals money that the writer deserves, but I also HATE HATE HATE terrible/unofficial translations. HATE. You know how how many people still thought that it was "technician" even when an offical funimation translation came out for Soul Eater? Then again were talking about manga, but I guareentee that it happens in scanslations as well.

 

[The Outrage]

I'm still wondering of the possibility of a manga site doing something like what Crunchyroll did for subs. Not really sure what arrangement Crunchyroll has with TV networks, but I'm assuming they're being given ad revenue.

Though I can see why this is problematic as some people like watching the dubs over subs, or don't care so they'll still watch the dubbed version. Then again, having it online may result in less production costs for companies like Viz since they don't have to spend money on ink and paper.

I mean, if there are for-profit websites doing this, then they can make a profit off of it.

 

[mariowie]

Im not only agaisnt "scanslations" because it steals money that the writer deserves, but I also HATE HATE HATE terrible/unofficial translations. HATE. You know how how many people still thought that it was "technician" even when an offical funimation translation came out for Soul Eater? Then again were talking about manga, but I guareentee that it happens in scanslations as well.

zoro looks real angry at the translator
for calling him zolo

 

[pokeslob]

Scanlations are good n all, but I end up buying the american releases (or in some cases the japanese, if the english ones don't exist... i.e. BAKUMAN, Addicted to Curry, etc.) because I like having a hard copy, and not only that but I don't like the image quality on most scanlations, so having a clean copy in book form is more ideal for me...

 

[scrambled_togepi]

I don't have a problem with it. In fact I support it. If the publishers will do something about releasing the local version much more promptly.

Bleach is 14 volumes, and 2 1/2 years behind on releases in America. And that gap is only increasing

Soul Eater is 5 years behind and staying that way until at least 2013.
(scanlations are the only reason I bought the first DVD and manga volume, but now that they are so hard to find my interest has dropped and I don't plan on getting any more)

World embryo is 4 years old now and Dark Horse hasn't announced any books even though they've had it licensed for over a year. I've gotten so fed up with this that I am ordering it from australia now.

I can be patient, but this goes far beyond pushing it

I think it would be smarter to release manga online similar to crunchyroll, and only publish the more popular titles in books.

 

[Steven]

...In the case of legal online scanlations relating to the gaps between Japanese series and their foreign translated counterparts... I would support more speed-up's like what Viz Media has been doing in recent years. They've closed the gap with Naruto by (rough estimation) about 50 chapters, and One Piece now has the smallest gap, with volume 54 coming out in a few days, and iirc, 55 releasing in October. FullMetal Alchemist, having just come to mind, needs to end here, it just needs to, since it has in Japan as far as the manga with the last manga-adapted anime episode airing on U.S. Independence Day, yet they have the next translated tankoban, I believe, releasing all the way in December. (Volume 24, that is.) Hikaru no Go, and now this one is obviously very big to me personally, has been going since it was introduced in the January '04 issue of Shonen Jump, and what volume is it on only? 19, with 20 releasing in August. I know it will end in February, but really, that's seven years after it began. A bit ridiculous, it is. It will have lasted longer than Rurouni Kenshin did when it does end, and the latter has five more volumes.

I support the tankoban, but also keeping in mind the raise in prices Viz Media has introduced. A volume of Naruto, for an example, has gone up two US dollars, from 7.95 (.99 for some titles) USD to 9.99 USD, in recent months. I recognize the strain the economy has had on it for a long while now, but really, it's actually starting to pick itself up, and now's the time to raise the prices? Sure. >.> The higher-ups need to pull some of that money in their pockets out, and put it towards what they need to, as I'm sure they could live without it.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that they need to begin accommodating their readers more than they think they are, and keep manga on a set schedule, or release it at a faster pace, with standardized prices.

 

[Zesty Cactus]

I'm all for this, really, since I am one of those "omg-buy-the-freaking-manga-when-it-comes-out-in-English" folks.

I don't often read manga online in the first place... I'm a dork and I generally don't mind waiting for a volume to be released over here, but if I were really impatient, I would read the scanlation but then buy the book when it comes out anyways. Scanlations and online manga are poor substitutes for a real, live book, imho. The only time I ever really read manga online is when there is either no English release or the English release is long out of print.

I do agree that I wish the current publishers would be a little quicker with some of their translations, though. :/ I know it takes time and money, but still >:O

 

[Adamant]

I'm still wondering of the possibility of a manga site doing something like what Crunchyroll did for subs. Not really sure what arrangement Crunchyroll has with TV networks, but I'm assuming they're being given ad revenue.

Nah, what really needs to happen is for the Japanese publishers to create an online library of the complete contents of their books, somewhat similar to what Marvel is doing, though at the time the issue is actually released. Make it a subscription service with ready access to all issues released up to a year prior to that date, for a fair price. Weekly Shonen Jump is 480 yen an issue, I believe, so 2000 yen a month would work for that. Make the subscription system easily available worldwide (Marvel does this), and let fans post text-only translations on various fan sites like they do nowadays anyway.

Those who know Japanese can read the stories as originally published. Those who don't can follow along a translation. Those who want the text in the actual comic to be replaced with one in their own language can wait for an official, local release, which will then get even more buzz than before. Those who want to read the newest chapters AND have a translated paper copy can do both, like the Japanese already do.

The foreigners can subscribe for easy access to these series, the Japanese can subscribe to get the series for a slightly lower price and the convenience of not having to go buy the paper copy, but the downside of having to read on their computer screen. It would benefit all parties, and not make the situation any worse for anyone (well, except those who'd want to read for free, of course).
See? It's brilliant.

 

[Geodude]

Unfortunately, that proposition makes way too much sense for it to ever happen.

 

[Archaic]

The real problem here isn't really the people who just want to read the latest stuff. The companies are actually fine with that, really, so long as you then go out and buy the licensed version when it comes out.

The real problem has been
a) People who make money off the scanlations with ads, etc.
b) People who release scans of the actual licensed editions. We're not talking old scanlations of something from years back, we're talking that once something comes out on US store shelves from VIZ, Tokyopop, etc, they go and get a copy, scan it, and put it up online.
c) People who do both of the above.

 

[Netto Azure]

Nah, what really needs to happen is for the Japanese publishers to create an online library of the complete contents of their books, somewhat similar to what Marvel is doing, though at the time the issue is actually released. Make it a subscription service with ready access to all issues released up to a year prior to that date, for a fair price. Weekly Shonen Jump is 480 yen an issue, I believe, so 2000 yen a month would work for that. Make the subscription system easily available worldwide (Marvel does this), and let fans post text-only translations on various fan sites like they do nowadays anyway.

Those who know Japanese can read the stories as originally published. Those who don't can follow along a translation. Those who want the text in the actual comic to be replaced with one in their own language can wait for an official, local release, which will then get even more buzz than before. Those who want to read the newest chapters AND have a translated paper copy can do both, like the Japanese already do.

The foreigners can subscribe for easy access to these series, the Japanese can subscribe to get the series for a slightly lower price and the convenience of not having to go buy the paper copy, but the downside of having to read on their computer screen. It would benefit all parties, and not make the situation any worse for anyone (well, except those who'd want to read for free, of course).
See? It's brilliant.

Goodness if only the pulishers can read this. I'd be more than happy to take a few dollars off my savings to legally see scans. :/

The real problem here isn't really the people who just want to read the latest stuff. The companies are actually fine with that, really, so long as you then go out and buy the licensed version when it comes out.

The real problem has been
a) People who make money off the scanlations with ads, etc.
b) People who release scans of the actual licensed editions. We're not talking old scanlations of something from years back, we're talking that once something comes out on US store shelves from VIZ, Tokyopop, etc, they go and get a copy, scan it, and put it up online.
c) People who do both of the above.

Yes, that is true to a point but at the same time these sites need to maintain themselves and use the ad money for the maintenance of the site. But yes putting up actual scans of licensed and published material is a no-no.

 

[nosagi]

I have such mixed feelings about this. I'm a dirt poor college student so I really don't have the money to buy manga. However, I fully support them in this endeavor because I know that people like me are what's hurting the anime/manga industry.

Plus, from the standpoint of someone who would love to publish a comic (not a manga) one day, I think I'd be kind of bummed if my sales were crap because everyone pirated it. Especially if I needed that money to get by, y'know? Then again, I hear that royalties are almost nothing in comparison to the amount made by the publishing company, rather than the actual producers of a series.

I'd say that maybe they need to start thinking of new marketing schemes, like throwing in things that would make spending seven to fifteen bucks on a book worth it. A small poster, a charm of some sort, extra incentive, basically.

Look at Heart Gold/Soul Silver. I would have just pirated the eff out of that if it didn't have such great bonuses to make me want the real thing. Pokewalker? Hecks yeah, I'll shell out almost forty bucks for something so complete and with so much replayability. Granted, I don't buy games often with my budget, so I think that says a lot about how big a difference extra incentives can make for a buyer.

Just my overwritten two cents.

At the end of the day, though, I don't think they'll ever be able to stop people from scanning and uploading or doing scanlations. That's just how the internet is these days.

 

[Rellik]

When I was in highschool, I used to go out and buy manga all the time. The only reason I switched over to scanlations was because I pretty much ran out of space for all of my tankobon. I honestly don't mind paying money for manga, but the space issue becomes a huge problem.

 

[Zesty Cactus]

When I was in highschool, I used to go out and buy manga all the time. The only reason I switched over to scanlations was because I pretty much ran out of space for all of my tankobon. I honestly don't mind paying money for manga, but the space issue becomes a huge problem.

haha trufax, I have like a FULL bookshelf of manga but I keep buying more!! T_T

 

[Shiny Noctowl]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with what the scanlators are doing. Then again, my post in the copyright thread on the soap box should have already given you that idea.

 

[Steven]

Except that they are basically ripping off something that isn't theirs. I highly, highly doubt that every author of every work on every scanlating website has given the authorization for them to be doing what they are.