Anime downloads: Grey areas
More clarity needed with regard to important issues relating to the
Odex case
Letter from Toh Hsia Yee
The recent attempt by Singapore distributor Odex to halt illegal
downloads of Japanese animation raises many hard questions which
need to be answered.
.
Foremost, it was reported that Odex had sought the identities of
1,000 subscribers from each Internet service provider. Based on the
the reported compensation of between $3,000 and $5,000 per person,
this would net Odex something between $9 million and $15
million.
.
Is this sum to compensate royalties, investigation costs or
administration charges?
.
Is it also Odex's prerogative to impose a 10-per-cent interest rate
on instalment arrangements for people often minors who cannot
afford such payment?
.
Second, Odex is not the sole distributor of all Japanese animation
in Singapore. Poh Kim and Blue Max also license popular series such
as Bleach and Naruto respectively, while some titles remain
completely unlicensed.
.
Unfortunately, there is no way for the average Internet user to
know which series come under Odex. Its website is perennially under
construction and the only unofficial list is one compiled by
netizens on Wikipedia.
.
How can Singaporeans respect Odex's copyrights when they do not
even know what Odex has rights over?
.
In addition, an extensive list of licensed Japanese animation can
be found on the website of Anti-Video Piracy Association Singapore,
or Avpas.
.
However, it appears from visits to local shops around Singapore
that most of these series are simply not, if ever, released for
sale.
.
A reasonable production time-lag is acceptable but when the wait is
four years and counting, this business practice becomes rather
dubious.
.
Lastly, Odex explained that it was compelled to take further action
when rampant downloading persisted even after Odex sent letters to
17 illegal downloaders in May this year.
.
Does this mean that those who heeded the warning will not be
penalised if they stopped promptly from May?
.
It is imperative that these issues are addressed if Singapore
wishes to remain a clear, transparent and intellectual
property-abiding nation. The law must be respected but should never
be exploited.
More clarity needed with regard to important issues relating to the
Odex case
More clarity needed with regard to important issues relating to the
Odex case
Letter from Toh Hsia Yee
The recent attempt by Singapore distributor Odex to halt illegal
downloads of Japanese animation raises many hard questions which
need to be answered.
.
Foremost, it was reported that Odex had sought the identities of
1,000 subscribers from each Internet service provider. Based on the
the reported compensation of between $3,000 and $5,000 per person,
this would net Odex something between $9 million and $15
million.
.
Is this sum to compensate royalties, investigation costs or
administration charges?
.
Is it also Odex's prerogative to impose a 10-per-cent interest rate
on instalment arrangements for people often minors who cannot
afford such payment?
.
Second, Odex is not the sole distributor of all Japanese animation
in Singapore. Poh Kim and Blue Max also license popular series such
as Bleach and Naruto respectively, while some titles remain
completely unlicensed.
.
Unfortunately, there is no way for the average Internet user to
know which series come under Odex. Its website is perennially under
construction and the only unofficial list is one compiled by
netizens on Wikipedia.
.
How can Singaporeans respect Odex's copyrights when they do not
even know what Odex has rights over?
.
In addition, an extensive list of licensed Japanese animation can
be found on the website of Anti-Video Piracy Association Singapore,
or Avpas.
.
However, it appears from visits to local shops around Singapore
that most of these series are simply not, if ever, released for
sale.
.
A reasonable production time-lag is acceptable but when the wait is
four years and counting, this business practice becomes rather
dubious.
.
Lastly, Odex explained that it was compelled to take further action
when rampant downloading persisted even after Odex sent letters to
17 illegal downloaders in May this year.
.
Does this mean that those who heeded the warning will not be
penalised if they stopped promptly from May?
.
It is imperative that these issues are addressed if Singapore
wishes to remain a clear, transparent and intellectual
property-abiding nation. The law must be respected but should never
be exploited
