Anime downloads: Grey areas!!

It is appalling to learn tat customers' information can now be disclosed by SG's Internet Service Provider (ISP).. Tis is a breach of individual's right of privacy and with such a precedent in place.. Tis has paved a way for future lucrative business opportunities whereby companies juz issue fines instead of sticking to their original trades..

The recent attempt by SG distributor Odex to halt illegal downloads of Japanese animation raises many hard qns which need to be answered.. Japan distributors also granted Odex some 'Care' rights of various anime titles which is both under and not under their distribution rights.. One of such is Bleach..

First and foremost.. It was reported tat Odex had sought the identities of 1000 subscribers from each ISP (Singnet.. Starhub.. Pacific net..) Based on the reported compensation of btwn $3k and $5k per person.. Tis would net Odex sumting btwn $9 million and $15 million.. This raises the first qns.. Is tis sum to compensate royalties.. Investigation costs or administrative charges? Is it also Odex's prerogative to impose a 10 percent interest rate on instalment arrangements for people - often minors - who cannot afford such payment? Seems like it is much more rewarding to continue fining offenders than promoting their anime vcds or dvds..

Second.. Does Odex feel tat by fining those offenders den these offenders will buy items frm Odex? They probably wun at all.. So now instead of drawing customers to Odex's items.. Odex is as gd as chasing its potential clients away.. On top of tat.. Let's juz establish an example.. If they are 20000 ppl downloading anime.. 5000 out of the 20000 ppl were caught and fined.. Of cuz tis will act as a deterrent to the rest.. Yes they will stop downloading.. But tis wun turn them towards Odex's items either.. In reality these 15000 ppl will start to hate Odex instead.. And start to boycott their items juz like NTU students..

Third.. Odex is not the sole distributor of all Japanese animation in SG.. Poh Kim and Blue Max also license popular series such as Bleach and Naruto respectively.. While some titles remain completely unlicensed.. Why are they unlicensed? Becuz these unlicensed titles aren't tat popular.. In other words.. Distributors targeted popular anime and licensed them in order to exploit profit from it..

Unfortunately.. There is no way for average internet user to knw which series come under Odex.. Its website is perennially under construction and the only unofficial list is one compiled by netizens on Wikipedia.. How can Singaporeans respect Odex's copyrights when they do not even knw wat Odex has rights over?

In addition.. An extensive list of licensed Japanese animation can be found on website of Anti-Video Piracy Association Singapore.. Or extensively known as Avpas.. However.. It appears frm visits to local shop ard SG tat most of these series are simply not.. If ever.. Released for sale.. A reasonable production time-lag is acceptable.. But when the wait is four yrs and counting.. Tis business practice becums rather dubious.. With such few releases.. Wat are the consumers expected to do? Cum on loh.. Consumers wun be waiting tat long juz for its release..

Not to mention.. The quality of the releases are utterly disappointing.. Dun even bother to start with the packaging.. The subbing is of a quality which consumer dun expect frm a professional product.. And it's for sure that in SG.. Companies themselves download fansubs as a reference to their own subbing.. I wonder whether Peter.. Boss of Odex.. Need to pay the fine as well? Cuz he does Subs for his products from FanSubs.. If he dun obey the law.. Who will.. How's tat for professionalism?

Lastly.. Odex explained tat it was compelled to take further action when rampant downloading persisted even after Odex sent letters to 17 illegal downloaders in May tis yr.. Does tis mean tat those who heeded the warning will not be penalized if they stopped promptly from May?

It is imperative tat these issues are addressed if SG wishes to remain a clear.. Transparent and intellectual property-abiding nation..

Though the law must be respected but it should nvr be exploited by the likes of so-called law enforcer wannabes!!

I know I can't touch ur heart now..
So it doesn't matter which kind of luv if I can stay with ya..
Cuz I knw the separated ones go beyond time & space & get together..
Becuz of ya, I will keep waiting becuz of ya..
This is the tot that fills my heart now..
I will always like & luv ya..

*I feel so xing fu with her*

*MerQu|s3*^^ aka *yeKai*^^