Fansubs, Scanlations, Bootlegs and the Law

Everyone is always looking for a deal--and free is even better than cheap. But when it comes to fansubs (Japanese-language television recordings subtitled by independent fans and released for free on the internet) and scanlations (scans of Japanese-language manga translated by independent fans and released for free on the internet), "free" may come with economic and moral complications. Bootlegs (illegal copies of originally legal discs, often accompanied by amateur subtitles, which are sold for a discounted price) often seem like a "better" choice because the product isn't free, but where does the money go?

This panel will be an interactive discussion on the effects of fansubs, scanlations, and bootlegs on the North American and Japanese anime industries. This is not a lecture--there will be questions for the audience, and audience members are encouraged to discuss the issues among themselves. The leader of this panel is a recent graduate of George Mason University School of Law--who is taking a break from studying for two bar exams to attend PortCon--and has spent two years of study on intellectual property issues. While she is not currently a licensed attorney and cannot offer legal advice, she will guide the conversation through questions and facts, and will gladly answer questions.