so what's the deal on Pokemon doujinshi?

[Yamato-san]

OK, I've been hearing a lot of things, and I'm still kinda unclear on the legality of doujinshi. So supposedly, Japan's copyright laws aren't less strict than America's (like most would believe), so selling and profiting off of doujinshi actually is in violation... however, despite being illegal, companies tolerate them because they think they help extend the lifespan and popularity of their product. I've also heard that Nintendo is one such company that doesn't tolerate them and even goes out of their way to crack down on the authors (which is why a woman was arrested for selling a Pokemon H-doujinshi). Is there anyone who can fully shed some light on this and maybe confirm how much of this is actually true?

 

[vee2x_paradox]

But what about Comiket?

 

[Lamia]

This is relivent to my interests.

 

[peanutbuttermewtwo]

I haven't taken the time to do a deep study, but it's my understanding that there's a certain accepted level of laxness about the production of fan materials in Japan. In the case of doujinshii, there are rarely more than 1000 copies of ANYthing produced, and it's kind of assumed not much money is actually made. Most doujin-ka don't use their real names or promote themselves outside of specific events, anyway. Nintendo's crackdown probably has more to do with the international popularity of Pokemon. the woman who was jailed over her doujin had drawn an extremely explicit beastaility doujin with Pikachu involved. I'm not sure, but it may or may not have been a Final Fantasy crossover, too (and that could be something else I'm thinking of).

Comiket is one of several events, something like a giant con artist's alley, where writers and groups sell their work. Doujin works range from semi-professional small-press stuff to self-published material, to crummy looking 'zine ashcans. Some professional artists also produce original doujin to sell, so they can make something for themselves without the pressure of guidelines and editors. (ABe's Haibane Renmei, which is very interesting, began as little 4-koma comics and doodles he sold at a doujin event).

...Actually, a short story I wrote is going to be published in the Psyko Confeti Digimon collection at the winter comics festival this year. I'm not actually going, but I'll have to let you know how the book itself turns out

 

[DalekMan]

I can't say I blame Nintendo... they might be fearing that if someone mistakes this stuff for official Pokemon merchandise, they might get another backlash like they got after the Burger King Pokeball toy incident, or the manji-mistaken-for-swastika bit, or the Jynx/blackface nonsense, or the accidental seizures... and given some of the triggerhappy lawsuit-trolls that wander this world today, they have every reason to be afraid...

 

[Yamato-san]

the woman who was jailed over her doujin had drawn an extremely explicit beastaility doujin with Pikachu involved.

really, now... I heard one source claim it was the artist who drew Takeshi's Diary (and that said doujin was the reason for her arrest).

 

[domesticshorthair]

or the manji-mistaken-for-swastika bit, or the Jynx/blackface nonsense, or the accidental seizures... and given some of the triggerhappy lawsuit-trolls that wander this world today, they have every reason to be afraid...

I didn't really understand that. That's a very old symbol. I've heard to some people it means the sun wheel, others it's the character of eternity, I've seen it on a Slavic coat of arms. Even Native Americans, an octopus, that created the world, with four tentacles pointing to the four cardinal points. People just want to sue for the silliest things imo.

After all, didn't some kids sue because the trading cards caused them to become obsessive gamblers, or something.

And, then, of course, you have people suing dog owners, because their dog attacked them while they broke into the backyard. Or because there was water close to the swimming pool, and they slipped and injured themselves. Or suing Fear Factor because they were eating while watching the show, and puked on themselves.

 

[Transfinite]

Thanks for bumping a completely dead thread for no reason.

*Locks*