This may be a really stupid question but I would appreciate it if someone could fill me in.

Basically, it seems that a series is suppose to stop being fansubbed once its licensed. Such as Fullmetal Alchemist, even at an incomplete episode of 41, I checked scarywater.net at Spoon Fansub and it was stopped due to its licensing. However, other anime series like Inuyasha continues to be fansubbed even after being licensed.

So why is this true?

Is it unlawful to fansub after its licensed? Please let me know what to watch for when a series get licensed?

And if Fullmetal Alchemist still continues to be fansubbed, please let me know where I can get it. I usually use Bittorrent.

Thank you.

-- Kore of Hades (goddesskore@yahoo.com), August 19, 2004

Answers

Fansubs, even unlicensed ones, are illegal because it violates copyright. It's just that it is alot easier to get away with subbing unlicensed series than licensed ones. Some groups sub licensed, some don't. It really depends on how much respect/fear a group has for licensing companies.

-- ubb (demonreaper73@hotmail.com), August 19, 2004.

Well, ususally it really doesn't matter whether it's licensed or not. From what I understand if you own a copy of the episode or erase it from your computer 24 hours after downloading it's perfectly ok. Also, if you are not in the US or in a country that has copywright laws on internet and video material you are ok. For instance, if you were in the philipines or india you can trade, sell, barter any kind of information as long as it's within the country.

Techinically the internet is a world village and does not fall into any jurisdiction. You don't even get taxed on anything traded "which is good".

keep in mind, I do not advocate piracy which is the stealing of information. I only want the free trade of information. I think that is under the US first amendment.

-- lendy wilson (yrfukedlol@yahoo.com), August 19, 2004.

fma is still getting subbed go to mirkx.com

-- c (ceewang@yahoo.com), August 19, 2004.

Thanks everyone. That really clears up why inuyasha is still going. But either way I'm glad.

And thats for the site.

-- Kore of Hades (goddesskore@yahoo.com), August 19, 2004.

The 'delete something after you own it for 24 hours' is some bullcrap console ROM distributor put out so they won't get in trouble for it. It is illegal to download any copy, even if you already have that song/movie/software.

-- ubb (demonreaper73@hotmail.com), August 20, 2004.

Darn right, Uub. Nothing like a 24-hours period where you can be illegal. Fansubs are illegal, and that's that.

-- Nick the Bittorrent Wizard (nakul@comcast.net), September 07, 2004.