Site Update - 3rd of June 2025

[Zet1502]

It was dumb fun. But it was full of inside jokes/references that non-regulars would get so I don't know how the experience would be for you.

Well, I'm only active in the manga comments, and even there I usually only observe and react to the stuff which unfolds

So, I have no idea how well I am versed in the MD lore

 

[Manko-sensei]

You talking about this? Weird that it was taken down.. I still got my copy.

I meant the one Mr. Detective shared (the old one), it was RPG indie like.

 

[BakedBanana]

I meant the one Mr. Detective shared (the old one), it was RPG indie like.

This one? I know about the video but did Detective ever share the actual game too? If so, I'm interested to find that out as well!

Maybe someone in the GFG would know?

 

[Manko-sensei]

This one? I know about the video but did Detective ever share the actual game too? If so, I'm interested to find that out as well!

Maybe someone in the GFG would know?

That's the one! It was probably a broken promise, but enough to spread love here.

 

[IlaiaCorde]

Who exactly do you think actually removed these volumes?

What do you mean who?

Are you forgetting the why? I see you striking a lot of the comments in this thread, including mine, which is truly mind boggling. This situation is the result of a legal dispute involving copyright.

Throwing a tantrum about it not only will not change anything, but it makes you look really foolish.

Obviously Mangadex doesn't want to get sued. End of story. Duh.

 

[IlaiaCorde]

Scanlations are piracy, right to translation is a part of copyright. There's nothing vague about it.

Thats actually false.

There is no such thing as 'right to translation'.

The issue involves licensing. I.e, having the right to sell and distribute the material in a given market/jurisdiction. Or, a lack thereof in a given market.

The lack there-of is why Mangadex hosts unlicensed titles. Assuming they arent given a takedown notice or the title becomes licensed at a later date, hosting an unlicensed title is not illegal unless you try to sell it.

If given a takedown notice, or notice of licensing, the material must be removed.

 

[shoujocon]

Thats actually false.

There is no such thing as 'right to translation'.

The issue involves licensing. I.e, having the right to sell and distribute the material in a given market/jurisdiction. Or, a lack thereof in a given market.

The lack there-of is why Mangadex hosts unlicensed titles. Assuming they arent given a takedown notice or the title becomes licensed at a later date, hosting an unlicensed title is not illegal unless you try to sell it.

If given a takedown notice, or notice of licensing, the material must be removed.

https://copyright.uslegal.com/enumerated-categories-of-copyrightable-works/translation/

Copyright is a right that exist regardless if you're selling your creation or not, you can even publish it for free, but still not grant permission for all places to upload it.
If you're claiming that hosting those isn't breaking law, then why a demand from copyright holders to remove the content is valid? Isn't it because MD has no right to host the material in the first place? Profiting from it has nothing to do with it.

 

[IlaiaCorde]

View attachment 23424
https://copyright.uslegal.com/enumerated-categories-of-copyrightable-works/translation/

Copyright is a right that exist regardless if you're selling your creation or not, you can even publish it for free, but still not grant permission for all places to upload it.
If you're claiming that hosting those isn't breaking law, then why a demand from copyright holders to remove the content is valid? Isn't it because MD has no right to host the material in the first place? Profiting from it has nothing to do with it.

ding ding ding.

Which is why Mangadex obeys takedown requests.

Because at the end of the day...Mangadex didnt translate anything. Nor did they upload it.

You did.

Or whoever...I mean i just said 'you' to make it seem really dramatic. 🤣

Point stands though. Mangadex just hosts things that other people upload. When they get a takedown request from the proper party, they obey.

Simple. So if Mangadex is piracy (and it isnt)...so is youtube, facebook, bitchute, and every other service where people upload things, often ignoring relevant legal issues. And, those services obey take down requests too...

 

[elemhunter]

I wonder what the next big DMCA will be now that there's blood in the water, and MD is quick to comply. Maybe all of Shogakukan and Kadokawa? Better grab FMD and back up all your favorite manga.

 

[TNT261]

Reading this as an outsider (or like casual reader; it's not a big deal to me), I have to say I feel like I've seen these circles before 😅.

Copyright is such a mess around the world. Like a god awful mess. I saw talk of the US copyright laws and that's such a great example. The laws regarding copyright in the US are as terrible as they are because of lobbying by corporations. The existing reality doesn't benefit art, artists, or consumers. It solely benefits corporations who want to endlessly milk properties and really hoard power. There's been a massive oversight in terms of just how important intellectual property has become to out economy. Frankly it's becoming dangerous in regards to economic health. A lot of corporations are playing out a different game of monopoly using IP. And we all suffer as a result. It's becoming increasingly dangerous in our digital world. With how licensing works, the internet and digital technology (once promised to expand human knowledge) allows companies to just banish whatever into the shadow realm. Then we're not even allowed to put in the work to bring it back. Man I think of stuff like the games Nintendo next brought to the west and then hardworking communities painstakingly do so themselves only to face legal action over decades old games not available for purchase otherwise. Things have only been escalating with game development itself being limited due to ridiculous patents.

That's not entirely on topic, but just a reminder that all of this is terrible on virtually every level. Even on the artistic level. Copyright was originally intended to encourage new art creation (like make it a viable career), not to line corporations pockets. Artists should also be allowed to work with existing art and add to the conversation. Part of this is on topic because translation is an art form in of itself and everyone benefits from multiple translations of the same work because those become a new layer onto the artwork.

It is incredibly difficult to find the proper balance when juggling our needs as people consuming art (every single piece of art is incredibly important to human civilization and yes this includes even the dumbest most uninspired manga: we are telling each other stories that shaper the grander tapestry of humanity's story) and the needs of creators trying to make a living from that art. The problem is that a third party came in and screwed it up for everyone: corporations turned this into a losing game for everyone. They fought for laws to keep them in power and mostly their pockets lined. The worst part is that mostly. Like in the case of fans translating works that are never going to be released in certain regions with support for certain languages. There's no reality where they digs deep into margins for a work. In fact, if anything it'd boost sales. The work gains an entire audience it never would have all for no cost from the creators and mass producers/distributors and actually the people translating will need to buy the work to then put the resources into making that work available to audiences that'd otherwise never interact with it. Of this new audience there's then a subset of people that'll buy the work from overseas just to support it. It's not a huge subset but it's more people that would have NEVER otherwise interacted with the work. Finacials are certainly never hurt. But what might be harmed is their power. They want to hold power over every property they own (often times it's strategic to make it easier to deal with future legal matters regarding copyright.

I've meandered a bit, but I really just want to remind everyone that we're on the same side. These laws are designed to harm everyone except the corporations. The don't benefit the work of art or the creators behind it. Honestly, it's insane how much worse these publishing and media companies have continued to treat and pay the people that enable their entire business model. I'm also saying that copyright is a an issue EVERYWHERE. Access to media content especially has become concerning in terms of our being able to access it. Unfortunately, the law is the law. There's no question there. I just also think it is worth acknowledging that the existing laws (globally, not just in the US) have clear winners and losers. Not just us as the audience but the creators themselves. We're not on equal footing and we don't live in a magical world. Things just suck and there's not a whole lot we can do about it. Save from pooling funds together to try and challenging the laws themselves in court.

You know I always think of "It's a wonderful life" the movie came out in 1946, and it bombed with critics and consumers. Then in 1974 the copyright ran out and the company behind it didn't renew it, so it entered the public domain after less than 30 years. Doing so is what Made "It's a wonderful life" become a classic. Broadcast TV didn't have to pay to air it, and the movie overtime became one of the best well known Christmas Movies. It's become a critical masterpiece. It's become a movie everyone grew up watching. And all because copyright was allowed to expire after a reasonable amount of decades. Now you couldn't imagine a similar situation.

When discussing this stuff just keep in mind the reality that we're all stuck in a losing game.

 

[JVick]

we're all stuck in a losing game

• Come to read drama about manga copyrights
• Get hit by life's universal truth

 

[Manko-sensei]

• Come to read drama about manga copyrights
• Get hit by life's universal truth

Basically:

 

[shoujocon]

Reading this as an outsider (or like casual reader; it's not a big deal to me), I have to say I feel like I've seen these circles before 😅.

Copyright is such a mess around the world. Like a god awful mess. I saw talk of the US copyright laws and that's such a great example. The laws regarding copyright in the US are as terrible as they are because of lobbying by corporations. The existing reality doesn't benefit art, artists, or consumers. It solely benefits corporations who want to endlessly milk properties and really hoard power. There's been a massive oversight in terms of just how important intellectual property has become to out economy. Frankly it's becoming dangerous in regards to economic health. A lot of corporations are playing out a different game of monopoly using IP. And we all suffer as a result. It's becoming increasingly dangerous in our digital world. With how licensing works, the internet and digital technology (once promised to expand human knowledge) allows companies to just banish whatever into the shadow realm. Then we're not even allowed to put in the work to bring it back. Man I think of stuff like the games Nintendo next brought to the west and then hardworking communities painstakingly do so themselves only to face legal action over decades old games not available for purchase otherwise. Things have only been escalating with game development itself being limited due to ridiculous patents.

That's not entirely on topic, but just a reminder that all of this is terrible on virtually every level. Even on the artistic level. Copyright was originally intended to encourage new art creation (like make it a viable career), not to line corporations pockets. Artists should also be allowed to work with existing art and add to the conversation. Part of this is on topic because translation is an art form in of itself and everyone benefits from multiple translations of the same work because those become a new layer onto the artwork.

It is incredibly difficult to find the proper balance when juggling our needs as people consuming art (every single piece of art is incredibly important to human civilization and yes this includes even the dumbest most uninspired manga: we are telling each other stories that shaper the grander tapestry of humanity's story) and the needs of creators trying to make a living from that art. The problem is that a third party came in and screwed it up for everyone: corporations turned this into a losing game for everyone. They fought for laws to keep them in power and mostly their pockets lined. The worst part is that mostly. Like in the case of fans translating works that are never going to be released in certain regions with support for certain languages. There's no reality where they digs deep into margins for a work. In fact, if anything it'd boost sales. The work gains an entire audience it never would have all for no cost from the creators and mass producers/distributors and actually the people translating will need to buy the work to then put the resources into making that work available to audiences that'd otherwise never interact with it. Of this new audience there's then a subset of people that'll buy the work from overseas just to support it. It's not a huge subset but it's more people that would have NEVER otherwise interacted with the work. Finacials are certainly never hurt. But what might be harmed is their power. They want to hold power over every property they own (often times it's strategic to make it easier to deal with future legal matters regarding copyright.

I've meandered a bit, but I really just want to remind everyone that we're on the same side. These laws are designed to harm everyone except the corporations. The don't benefit the work of art or the creators behind it. Honestly, it's insane how much worse these publishing and media companies have continued to treat and pay the people that enable their entire business model. I'm also saying that copyright is a an issue EVERYWHERE. Access to media content especially has become concerning in terms of our being able to access it. Unfortunately, the law is the law. There's no question there. I just also think it is worth acknowledging that the existing laws (globally, not just in the US) have clear winners and losers. Not just us as the audience but the creators themselves. We're not on equal footing and we don't live in a magical world. Things just suck and there's not a whole lot we can do about it. Save from pooling funds together to try and challenging the laws themselves in court.

You know I always think of "It's a wonderful life" the movie came out in 1946, and it bombed with critics and consumers. Then in 1974 the copyright ran out and the company behind it didn't renew it, so it entered the public domain after less than 30 years. Doing so is what Made "It's a wonderful life" become a classic. Broadcast TV didn't have to pay to air it, and the movie overtime became one of the best well known Christmas Movies. It's become a critical masterpiece. It's become a movie everyone grew up watching. And all because copyright was allowed to expire after a reasonable amount of decades. Now you couldn't imagine a similar situation.

When discussing this stuff just keep in mind the reality that we're all stuck in a losing game.

How would you change copyright laws to benefit creators if the current model isn't good for them? What part of current laws is actually harmful to the creators?

Why do the authors choose to publish their work under a publisher instead of self-publishing, which is very easy with the internet nowadays. They could just publish under a license that allows everyone to read it, right?

 

[IlaiaCorde]

How would you change copyright laws to benefit creators if the current model isn't good for them? What part of current laws is actually harmful to the creators?

Why do the authors choose to publish their work under a publisher instead of self-publishing, which is very easy with the internet nowadays. They could just publish under a license that allows everyone to read it, right?

Because publishers will generally pay the creator up front and often offer marketing/advertising, translation and other services to turn it into a marketable product.

I dont see it as a copyright issue. I see it as a translation issue. They dont announce whether they have plans to bring a title to XYZ market w/ translation, and often dont bother. So we have tons of titles that never come over to the U.S for instance.

Naturally, thats why Mangadex exists. Its not for piracy. Its so we can read titles that may never come here in our own language.

If these companies focused more on distribution, this would never be an issue.

I personally have no issue paying for titles. I just cant do so in many cases because they arent even available here...thus Mangadex.

 

[Pokeroots]

So if Mangadex is piracy (and it isnt)...so is youtube, facebook, bitchute, and every other service where people upload things, often ignoring relevant legal issues. And, those services obey take down requests too...

Mangadex is piracy, full stop. There's less than 1% of works that are self published here. Your follow up comment also holds significantly less water when your comment history is full of works that have official translations. There is no moral high ground on using this site we're pirates and I'm tired of people trying to pretend like we're in the right for it.

 

[Manko-sensei]

There is no moral high ground on using this site we're pirates and I'm tired of people trying to pretend like we're in the right for it.

Treat me like a pirate and give me that booty! (Yes, I have the high ground, Anakin)

 

[Trodsen]

Mangadex is piracy, full stop. There's less than 1% of works that are self published here. Your follow up comment also holds significantly less water when your comment history is full of works that have official translations. There is no moral high ground on using this site we're pirates and I'm tired of people trying to pretend like we're in the right for it.

honestly, you're talking about a different thing than what the post you're replying to. Mangadex as a platform to upload manga isn't piracy by definition, however the vast majority of the images are indeed pirated, I don't think that's even up to discussion.

However and the thing that most people don't seem to clarify, is that the reason for these persistent discussions is not piracy. The reasons, are basically 2:
1. Accessibility - The truth is the vast majority of titles here do not have an official translation, that has nothing to do with copyright, it's just how it is.
2. How these takedowns were handled, and MD's conscious choice to be an easy target for takedowns - Obviously people will wonder why a platform that hosts a massive amount of pirated content will make itself easily accessible to DMCA, and refuse to even communicate anything before implementing the takedown.

 

[T-sama]

Mangadex is by definition a piracy site, literally 99.99% of its content is stolen.

Legally speaking there's nothing that makes Mangadex different from any other manga site or piracy site in general, go in front of a judge all ackchyually and try argue otherwise to see how that goes.

The YouTube comparison from before is plain stupid for various reasons, among some being:
1 - a lot of stuff probably falls under fair use law
2 - a lot of IP holders ignore it because it's basically free publicity
3 - most videos are pieces and bits of the original work or are videos about the work
4 - unlike manga literally anyone can upload any kind of video about a certain IP, so it takes a lot of resources to try DMCA everything and meanwhile other people upload new stuff making basically impossible to stop it
5 - a lot of IP holders do try to take down as many videos as possible but it's basically futile as they can't stop new ones from being uploaded, which is why some give up or barely try
6 - some actually do get to remove stuff to some extent, example, it's impossible to find a full fight of Illya vs Saber Alter from Kaleid Illya cause they all got removed, so at best you find edits full of cuts or amvs

Fact is if asian publishers could have their way basically all unauthorized videos on YouTube would have been taken down long ago, it's simply infinitely harder or even outright impossible to really do it in the grand scheme of things, sites like Mangadex though? A lot easier to target compared to YouTube.

Either way fact is that we're all thieves plain and simple, we and sites like this are effectively legally and morally on the wrong side, going all ackchyually will never change that, only reason we don't need to feel bad about it is because we literally have no alternative since 99% of the mangas with fan translation will never get official translation and that is even worse for non English speakers.

 

[Pokeroots]

Mangadex is by definition a piracy site, literally 99.99% of its content is stolen.

Legally speaking there's nothing that makes Mangadex different from any other manga site or piracy site in general, go in front of a judge all ackchyually and try argue otherwise to see how that goes.

The YouTube comparison from before is plain stupid for various reasons, among some being:
1 - a lot of stuff probably falls under fair use law
2 - a lot of IP holders ignore it because it's basically free publicity
3 - most videos are pieces and bits of the original work or are videos about the work
4 - unlike manga literally anyone can upload any kind of video about a certain IP, so it takes a lot of resources to try DMCA everything and meanwhile other people upload new stuff making basically impossible to stop it
5 - a lot of IP holders do try to take down as many videos as possible but it's basically futile as they can't stop new ones from being uploaded, which is why some give up or barely try
6 - some actually do get to remove stuff to some extent, example, it's impossible to find a full fight of Illya vs Saber Alter from Kaleid Illya cause they all got removed, so at best you find edits full of cuts or amvs

Fact is if asian publishers could have their way basically all unauthorized videos on YouTube would have been taken down long ago, it's simply infinitely harder or even outright impossible to really do it in the grand scheme of things, sites like Mangadex though? A lot easier to target compared to YouTube.

Either way fact is that we're all thieves plain and simple, we and sites like this are effectively legally and morally on the wrong side, going all ackchyually will never change that, only reason we don't need to feel bad about it is because we literally have no alternative since 99% of the mangas with fan translation will never get official translation and that is even worse for non English speakers.

Arguably this attitude is exactly why things don't get official translations but there's also times when things do get official translations but the publisher thinks we're a bunch of puritans such as webtoons "Castaway Marriage" where they just delete half of the chapter because they think sex is too mature for their mature series

 

[T-sama]

Arguably this attitude is exactly why things don't get official translations but there's also times when things do get official translations but the publisher thinks we're a bunch of puritans such as webtoons "Castaway Marriage" where they just delete half of the chapter because they think sex is too mature for their mature series

No it's not, reason we don't get official translations is the same as always, money, if they don't think it'll sell enough they tend to just not bother with it.

As for Castaway Marriage, that is just plain stupid, I think it's less being puritan and more that Webtoons want to try have more people buying it by making it safe, won't be surprised if they start selling a NSFW uncensored version too, especially because I'm pretty sure Webtoons do have some pretty horny content, if not outright NSFW, which makes the decision even weirder.

Really, a lot of dumb decisions are explained by money, example, Omega Heroine on Tapas, which they changed the original names for western names, they think by making such moronic changes it'll have more readers and unfortunately too many morons happily accept such changes.