Defending Fanscanning [Was Re: Translated Manga]

[sh...@bellatlantic.net]

> >That's what happened to the KOR Project - they got an email telling them what
> >they were doing was illegal and that they had to take down the chapters or
> >face legal action. (There's a link to the KOR Project from my links at
> >db.silicon-north.com/dblinks.html )
>
> Yeah, I heard about that. I also noticed that its sister project, the
> Dragon Ball Project, shut itself down soon after word got out that Viz
> had picked up Dragon Ball.

Smurfbon ran both the DB Project and KOR Project, in addition to the Ranma
Project. Coincidentally, I find his actions somewhat contradictory. He
closed down the DBP, but not the Ranma Project, even though Viz is releasing
Ranma as well. Additionally, even though he got an email telling him to
shut down the KOR Project, it's still got all the files available. (He's
stopped doing the series, though)

<the rest of Wuken's post snipped to save bandwidth> ^_-

Ok, here's my p.o.v. on fanscanning -

From the American market standpoint, fanscans are acceptable because
they aren't going to cut into Viz sales, since the volumes that Viz
has announced for release aren't going to be fanscanned. In fact,
they stand to *benefit* from fanscanning, since it has arguably broadened
the existing DB fanbase since the effort to translate the series began.
I've lost count of how many emails I've gotten expressing their gratitude
for having access to the series; it's little things like that that motivate
me to go on with what I'm doing. Newbies especially have been able to
experience the rest of the series beyond what the NA dub has shown. As a
result, there's more enthusiasm about the series than would be otherwise
without the availbility of fanscans.

What do fans do when they're crazy about something? In addition to
spending far too much time on it than they should (hehe), they also
spend more $$$ on it. Now, in an fantasy world where everyone had
unlimited money at their desposal, we'd all have all the merchandise
we could get our grubby mits on - scrolls, posters, and yes, all 42
Japanese volumes. However, this is the real world, where people have
limited budgets and therefore can only conscrete so much money to
Dragon Ball. For all the fans that do not purchase the Japanese
manga because of fanscans, I assert that they spend the money on
DB in some other way, from action figures to the Pioneer movies to
posters. Thus, what is happening is not a monetary loss for the
creators, but rather, a rerouting of consumer spending. Therefore,
even though importers may be losing out, the difference is made up
in profits for U.S. licensees and American anime stores. (and thus
helping to bridge the disparacy between American-Japanese
import/exports) <g> It would be a stretch to contend that it's
our patriotic duty to go with fanscans, but my point is that fanscans
are *not* undermining profit generated by Dragon Ball. (It's hard
to do that with a license that's grossed over a billion
dollars) :)

It's true that not all people who read the fanscans buy DB products,
but that's a moot point - those who are spenders spend on other
things, and those who are tightwads probably wouldn't buy the
Japanese manga in the first place; therefore, they aren't hurting
Jump by not buying because those individuals wouldn't buy anyways
in the absence of fanscans. The same is true the other way; there
are still people who want to buy the Japanese manga regardless for
a variety of reasons. (usually moral-wise, though some just like
*having* the actual manga in their hands)

As for text translations vs. fanscans - I think txt trans are great
aids for those who *have* the manga, but by itself, it isn't enough
to create renewed interest in Dragon Ball. Fanscans can and do
spark the fires of fandom. (ooh, I'm getting all poetic now) =P

Ok, my mind's blanked from all this deep thinking. ^_^
Thoughts on the subject welcome.

- Eric Phan
The Daily Dragon Ball Chapters
http://db.silicon-north.com

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own