manganews.net

Like I've mentioned in our blog, Firedog and I happen to be both moving this week and neither of us has the time to follow/update the news much. In the mean time, I really feel that we need to give you the follow-up to the CPM/Libre story. A new set of reviews for this week is also up. Sorry we can't do much beyond this this week. We thank you for your understanding and we'll be back next week to cover all the news that we missed.
- Floating Sakura
Please feel free to send all your comments/questions to me at floatingsakura@manganews.net

• Follow-Up on CPM/Libre: We've inquired Libre Publishing on the situation, here's their reply:

The license agreements for translations of the publications between BIBLOS Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BIBLOS”) and Central Park Media Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “CPM”) became invalid after April, 2006 when BIBLOS filed for bankruptcy protection.

Any and all translations of our publications by CPM are based upon the above-mentioned terminated agreements.

Moreover, CPM unilaterally continues to publish translations of our publications without performing any obligations of that Agreement, because they insist that they have no obligation due to the fact that BIBLOS is a bankrupt entity.

It should be known that the cartoonists and authors are being victimized by this CPM’s illegal action.

Other foreign publishers of the translations of our publications with whom BIBLOS had agreements already concluded new license agreements with Libre Publishing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Libre”). Libre has been granted the business rights by BIBLOS, and as such they are legally able to publish those translations.

Just as BIBLOS had been doing, Libre offers copyright licensing service for translations of our own publications to foreign publishers as an agent who is duly commissioned by each of the cartoonists and authors.

We have warned that CPM is illegally acting as an agent for each of the cartoonists and authors. Unfortunately, our warnings have fallen on deaf ears. This is the reason why we feel the need to make a public statement in protest.

We are unable to disclose any more information to any third parties including individuals, peers, and journalists at this time, but we hope that our readers and journalists will calmly be on alert for any future events.

Thank you for reading so far. Please give us your understanding and cooperation.

Here's my personal opinion (that doesn't necessarily represent Jouhou's): Japanese Publishers are generally quite reserve about making events like these public (if anything, they would probably try to bury it). Through Libre's statement, it is obvious that CPM is intentionally violating Copyrights and I personally feel that the fans/distributors/retailers etc should cease buying/selling any CPM's Be Beautiful Products to support the copyright holders.
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