The Legal Stuff - Copyright

While I own everything typed and posted on this page (unless mentioned otherwise), I wanted to say something about 2 things: Fansubs and Bootlegs.

Fansubs are Media like Anime, Television Series, Movies and Games that are subtitled by people who do not own the rights of the media. Fansubs are illegal, as the original creators get nothing when we download it. The same goes for Scanlations, Comics and Manga who are translated in, for example, English. I own a few Fansubs, but that's only because I haven't been able to find an original in the stores (yet). This is often with Anime; most series don't even leave Japan (and I don't speak Japanese), or the licensed dubber 'butchered' the original *cough*Sailor Moon*cough*. When I do find a legal version, and I can afford it, I will replace it. Succesfully replaced were, for example, 'The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi' and 'Laputa'.
On a little side note: The Netherlands is getting more and more Anime; YAY! Unfortunately, the subtitlers seem to have skipped elementary school, as they sometimes leave out words, mistranslate, make typos or prefer 'slang' above correct normal Dutch. I know we are only human and I too make mystakes, but since when is the Dutch word for 'Little Horse' (= Paardje) translated as 'Paartje' (= Couple)?

As for Bootlegs: Bootlegs are bad. They are cheap knock-offs of good merchandise. In the Netherlands I've seen Cheap Plastic Bubble Swords with images of Naruto AND Card Captor Sakura on them; in the biggest national toy store-chain! So while Bootlegs are bad: how can someone recognise them if even the biggest store-chains sell them? Sure, I more or less can recognise it, but sometimes I too get fooled or get a gift which later turns out to be a bootleg. I do not encourage buying them, because it means greedy people who do not own a single license get your money, instead of the poor creator... or the multinational rich company. So, do not buy bootlegs, okay? Bootlegs are often badly manufactured and often also look like crap. You can reserve that spot on your shelf for something legal to collect dust with.