jiayan ([info]jiayan) wrote in [info]alice_nine,
@ 2006-12-25 20:37:00
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[Akatsuki] Poll
Merry Christmas~★

While everyone's in a generous and happy mood, I'd like to bring up an issue that's been on my mind for a while: copyright.

As most of you know, I run the alice nine. lyrics translation site Akatsuki. Image and text copyright is currently a problem. I've heard that PSCompany is rather harsh with sites that they manage to catch, and I really hope that Akatsuki doesn't meet its demise that way.

So, after having emailed PSCompany, they have responded saying something along the lines of...

"The publication of lyrics and pictures on a fansite is against the law. The usage of images of the artist currently available for sale is also against the law. There are a lot of fansites who have not contacted us like you have, who infringe copyright. This is an issue that we have difficulty with. It is not truly within our power, but please delete this content if it is being published. Thank you for your understanding."

As you can see, they have been very nice and reasonable about it. I've come up with a way to dodge the image copyright, however, there remains the text material. The only text that infringes copyright is the Japanese text (the kanji lyrics).

Therefore I've been considering the removal of the Japanese lyrics from the site. Anyway, if anyone wants to see the original lyrics, they can either purchase the CDs or hunt really hard for scans, right?

But even so, I'd like to have my site visitors' opinions about this issue to help in coming to a decision. ^__^ Please take this survey.

Thank you! Have a fun Christmas!

cross-posted to related communities.

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[info]xchibi_tsukix
2006-12-25 01:04 pm UTC (link)
I think you shouldn't take them off because to foreigner people this is [not] useful but this could be a good exercice to learn japanese.

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 02:12 pm UTC (link)
i don't see how the removal of the Japanese lyrics will affect those who really want to learn Japanese... it's just a little extra that's there because it's always good for those who know Japanese to have something to refer to. but then again, if anyone really wants to know the original lyrics, it's always preferable for them to purchase the original CDs, right? that's what i'm thinking, anyway. but i decided to do this opinion survey just to see what the visitors feel.

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[info]yellowedtea
2006-12-25 01:31 pm UTC (link)
hmmm..this seems tough. the Japanese lyrics are definitely useful to foreigners but if you dont remove it, you might get into trouble..

just a suggestion: perhaps people who want the japanese lyrics can request for them, then you can post them for a while (eg a week), then remove them? hhaah then if others who missed it, they could just ask around and others can email them the lyrics?

hahahahahha my suggestion sounds weird. xD

anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS and THANKS for the awesome job which you have done in translating the lyrics! :) *thumbs up for you*

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 02:13 pm UTC (link)
oh, believe me, i did consider that. XD and also others. a very viable alternative would be to create an LJ community with all the kanji lyrics, with every post locked. so that would make it like... personal sharing, and PSC probably wouldn't care that much about that.

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[info]yellowedtea
2006-12-25 03:21 pm UTC (link)
hahaha yes that's good! they cant access it anyway if you lock it! HAHA!

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[info]sadotsu
2006-12-26 12:59 am UTC (link)
a very viable alternative would be to create an LJ community with all the kanji lyrics, with every post locked.
That's a great idea!!! :DDDD

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[info]kyospants
2006-12-28 01:28 am UTC (link)
*agrees with the others* excellent idea~ btw you have no idea how much i love you for running akatsuki! ^______^ its like crack, only better...

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[info]ka_dono
2006-12-25 01:50 pm UTC (link)
well first i think Psc is really to harsh,well of course there's something tat is not really right and we fans do.
But this are lyrics, they have to be really stupid to do does kind of things!
fans overseas need the lyrics to know what the heel we're singing,we don't have to know japanese to like a song and a band.

i think you did the right thing, and please do stop you site, i love it!!you have done a great job!^___^v

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 02:10 pm UTC (link)
nah, PSC is perfectly within its power. i was quite impressed by their reply, actually. i was expecting something much harsher.

i'm only considering the removal of the Japanese lyrics. the romanisations and translations will still remain.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]walkin_siesta
2006-12-26 01:37 am UTC (link)
i think they're equally impressed with you contacting them about it XD
wouldn't the romaji be counted as original lyrics as well?
the friends only community is a viable solution *nods*

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-26 02:52 am UTC (link)
well, technically speaking it won't be XD because romaji doesn't take into account the actual kanji being used! different kanji are romanised the same way, so the same romanisation could be referring to several kanji... and different people have different ways of romanising. i don't think the romaji is a problem, because it's nothing that PSC actually published on its own. ^^

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[info]shinyane
2006-12-25 02:34 pm UTC (link)
That's a bit sad since what is hard to find is Kanji lyrics.
(yeah and Also translation sometimes)

... sad

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 05:11 pm UTC (link)
yea i agree. but i'll stick by what i say, which is that... if you really want kanji lyrics, they can be found... at the most you'll have to buy the CD, which is something i'd like very much, since the point of Akatsuki was to popularise alice nine. more than they already are. XD

but if you read my reply to the second comment, you'll see that i am still considering other ways of putting up the kanji lyrics without outrightly infringing PSC's copyright. ^^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]carisma_sensei
2006-12-25 04:01 pm UTC (link)
I think that, PSC is reasonable.And they are right because, everything is made by Alice nine and stuff, so they have the right to make us ask for permission and stuff when we wanna build up a fansite or some kind of shrine for that band. Ok ok, it's a bit too much because we love to show our love for them, but i think they are right. Anyway i dunno how showing lyrics that you didn't claim as yours would infrige the law o_O...But it's their decission.

And thanks for running that site, it's great :D~

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 05:15 pm UTC (link)
yea~ i more or less expected the reply that they gave. (and was pleasantly surprised at how nice the reply was!) actually the indirect purpose of my email to them was to find some sort of channel through which i could possibly obtain permission, or at least remove all the copyrighted material and have the site vetted to show that it's a completely legal fansite. i think the right word would be "security"... i'm trying to secure Akatsuki against any unpleasant surprises in the future. but whoever was on the replying end didn't mention anything about who i could clarify all this with, so... yea. XD;; i decided to just go with my second option, which is to conform to their 'rules'.

you're welcome, it's my pleasure. ^^

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[info]surrealnorakuen
2006-12-25 05:52 pm UTC (link)
that's totally understandable
and of course they do have the right to claim that~
if people do know everything comes from PSC and yet still calling it stupid as they claim their right, i dunno what is that about = ="
well.. if you really want security.. i would also suggest to remove all the copyrighted stuffs.
if the purpose of your site is to provide translations, it shouldn't be a problem coz people who like them should buy their CDs and stuffs.. all they need is translations..
so~~ i dunno. XDDD i only know that japanese companies are kinda strict about copyrights, and i think it's good, even i dun like it sometimes~
i think you already have something in mind, go for it then ^^

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[info]a_day_off
2006-12-25 04:18 pm UTC (link)
Meep... I'm sorry U-U

You have done a great job on the site, though!
(Its on my favourite's list *feels dorky*)
Well I hope this all turns out well for you and HAppy Holidays!! ^^

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-25 05:09 pm UTC (link)
hmmm? sorry for what? XD nothing's happened! they haven't done anything to me either. i'm the one who emailed them just to ask about what's legal and what's illegal... so don't worry, everything's fine. ^^ this is just an opinion survey~

and thanks for your support! ♥

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[info]bloodxletters
2006-12-25 08:51 pm UTC (link)
It's good that you let them know and all. :3
I sounded like a total dork on the survey but whatever. XD And I agree, people can just hunt down for the Kanji scans and whatnot and if they can't find it they can buy the cds themselves. I, personally, don't use the kanji on the site. I just enjoy having the translations and romaji. n-n

And thanks for the site. I always find it helpful. XD -flails on you-

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[info]naitoxstar
2006-12-25 10:05 pm UTC (link)
That site ate my response. ;~; *kicks it*

I'm for taking the kanji lyrics down. :x *hides*
Personally, I don't want you to get in trouble and I don't want akatsuki to get taken down either. There's a bunch of foreign blogs and BBS with kanji lyrics too. And of course, there are scans. :x And it might encourage people to buy their CDs~

Or like you said before, a locked LJ community. ;)

(Gosh, you're such a good webmistress. Asking for permission. ♥)

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[info]tellytubby
2006-12-26 02:41 am UTC (link)
if you think that kanji might get you in trouble .. well i think u should take it off. as long you dont remove the romaji part hohoo ^0^

if people want to learn japanese from the lyrics, they can change the romaji into kanji by writting using japanese IME. err... u know what i mean rite? ;p

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[info]kuronekonotsume
2006-12-26 02:41 am UTC (link)
well, I guess since you mailed them, you should do as they asked, other wise it'd be just weird, 'Here I am writing you to tell you I have this site with illegal material, but I'm not exactly gonna do anything about it, just wanted to let you know' x)

and besides, they can buy CDs or hunt the net to show they care, the lyrics can be found in original Japanese on plenty fansites or blogs etc.

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-26 02:54 am UTC (link)
i didn't tell them what site it was XD! so i'm safe for now, unless they go googling a lyrics site (and Akatsuki appears pretty high up on Google when you type in the write keywords)... but i doubt PSC would like to have more work on their hands than they already do, so the site should be safe for now. ^^

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[info]kuronekonotsume
2006-12-26 03:00 am UTC (link)
ahhh... right XD

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[info]rimokon
2006-12-26 05:38 am UTC (link)
personally i think they are insane if they honestly think they will stop everyone ever on the internets from posting pictures of alice nine and miyavi etc. =/ so why should kanji be any different? especially since they are so much harder to find and despite what people say, really are useful to people studying japanese. i say keep them on. :3

if you didn't tell them akatsuki's URL [great site btw ♥] i don't think they would actually go hunting you down to see if you kept your promise. XD;;

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[info]jiayan
2006-12-26 06:27 am UTC (link)
hmmm. they aren't thinking of stopping anyone, actually. they phrased it in a "at your own discretion" way. and like i said in a reply somewhere, i'm trying to make a decision between keeping the site aboveboard and... not keeping it aboveboard, i guess?

and kanji lyrics are REALLY EASY to find, trust me. the easiest way would be: buy the CDs. XD which is basically what i'm pushing for with the site, anyway. i'm hoping that knowing what the songs are about will convince people to buy their CDs.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]bob_chan
2006-12-26 09:03 am UTC (link)
Thank you for going out and actually contacting them about this! I am very happy to find this bit of info; it will be very useful to me personally with Looking Glass and all. :D
Copyright is a touchy subject, but every little bit helps!
Okay! Off to take survey now~

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[info]spikiegirl
2006-12-26 01:15 pm UTC (link)
I think you should remove the kanji, after all as you said, PSC is in their rights. If people really wants the lyrics in kanji, they have to buy the artist's stuff that's all and in a way, that'll probably oblige people to purchase the CDs (not a bad thing, right ? :p)
Anyway, you do a lot for us who cannot understand japanese and your translations are great so if by only removing the kanji lyrics, you can keep the website running without fearing to be outlaw, that's a small loss ^^'
(sorry for my bad english, I don't know why but I can't find my words today ^^')

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[info]riffsilver
2006-12-27 04:45 am UTC (link)
Well at least they replied in a nice way.

Although it would be sad to take down the kanji lyrics... maybe you should... or at least share them in some way that PSC can't track or not readily available to the public...

*sigh*

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[info]__perplexity__
2007-01-07 09:26 pm UTC (link)
Um, *cower*, I'm sorry but i'm for taking them down. I mean I (and apparantly everyone else!) loves you for the site, but I don't think it's worth the trouble ... we don't want to lose it all! And as someone suggested up above, how about just telling us before they go so we can gobble them up before they leave!?

Seriously, sorry for invading your LJ and thank you for the site because it IS love, and i think it was damn decent of you to mail PSC either way. Thank you!!!

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nee Want to be my friend
[info]isakio
2008-02-17 05:03 am UTC (link)
Wooooh long time, I look for anything
Alice Nine ... I am so happy but o o o aaaw .. I would like to see your LJournal ... IBS?
Do you want to be a friend of mine?

Therefore, I suppose you have a lot of reason ... As staff have not seen much yet this problem .. But, we support 100% truth ... *┐*sugê!

Oooh truth is your blog''Akatsuki seventh-eighth, this very beautiful, the letters also thanks - nee I prefer to write in romaji * jeje after all the Japanese is not as difficult ^ ^


Alive, nee happy Christmas backward for you ♥

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