Warning: Amazon.com Sells Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Bootleg Set

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Emily Gonsalves

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May 19, 2007, 5:59:40 PM5/19/07

to Sailor Moon Snipits

I just found out about this, and I thought it best to inform you all,
in the event that you didn't see the news item on Anime News Network.

The full article from Anime News Network:

The Amazon retail website in the United States has been selling a
bootleg version of the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
television series as the "Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: The Complete
Official Boxset." This US$69.95 bootleg version's packaging is
distinguishable from the actual, official Japanese DVDs by its missing
copyright notice, all-region logo, lack of real company credits,
missing DVD logo trademark, different cover artwork, and different
disc specifications. It also lists the "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon
Production Committee" as its releaser. (Toei Video released this
series on individual DVD discs in Japan, but not in a DVD box set.)

This bootleg version does contain misleading Japanese and English
package text, as well as a false Japanese yen price ("Price with tax:
Y17,300") and an altered technical specifications layout copied from
legitimate Japanese DVDs. Neither Geneon (formerly Pioneer
Entertainment) nor any other company has officially released the
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars series in North America, although Geneon did
sell the previous series, Sailor Moon SuperS, in individual DVDs and
in a DVD thin pack box set.

While the separate Amazon Marketplace is known for harboring
third-party sellers of bootlegged material, this particular bootlegged
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars version appears on Amazon's main corporate
website. Amazon could not be reached for comment, despite repeated
online and telephone requests. ANN will update this article or post a
follow-up if Amazon responds.

Update: Amazon is still selling the item, but has relabeled it as
"Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: The Complete Bootlegged Boxset."

The article is also on the Anime News Network site here:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-17/amazon-sells-sailor-moon-bootleg-as-official-boxset

I am incredibly disappointed in Amazon.com, this is something that
should never happen. They are a legitimate business and I expect to
only see OFFICIAL merchandise being sold directly by them. While I
understand that they can't really verify that all re-sellers are
offering official merchandise; I expect more from Amazon itself.

I encourage everyone to avoid buying the set that was mentioned. Not
only is it an illegal bootleg, it is low-quality and over-priced.