Good news for Singaporean anime lovers

by Zel
Aug 25, 2007 2:37 AM | 10 Comments

Odex's court order forcing Pacific Internet to give names of people who have downloaded anime illegally has failed. Judge Ernest Lau ruled that

Judge Ernest Lau said:
Only copyright owners - that is, the studios that made the anime - or an 'exclusive licensee' for the anime being downloaded, can take legal action under the Singapore Copyright Act.

Odex is a sub-licensee and had letters from rights owners authorising it to take action on their behalf, but the firm was neither a copyright owner or an 'exclusive licensee'.

An exclusive licensee has the sole right to distribute a product in a certain market.

By the sounds of it, Odex does not have the right to sue downloaders

Source: The Straits Times

10 Comments Recent Comments

Odex can't stop the one uploading the fansubs from overseas, so they start with the locals, which is the majority Anime fans in Singapore. Anyways just watch for the news in Yahoo, The Straits Times for more latest news.

Aug 25, 2007 11:00 PM by winsonkoh

The funniest bit with this Singapore case is the news I've heard about the man behind it all known as Sing who is dubbed "the most hated man in Singapore"'s anime industry. Because not only does he do the suing he apparently gloated about it on forums in the most unprofessional way (not the exact words but imagine him saying he pwned the downloaders on forums you know).

Aug 25, 2007 7:56 PM by Crystal

wtf...

sue downloaders?
woa. thats overreacting....

Aug 25, 2007 5:33 PM by Ryushi

I dunno, I wouldn't consider this good news industry wise, as it there is now no control over illegal bootlegs in singapore, which, only takes money away from all R1/2/3 companies

Aug 25, 2007 12:47 PM by Megadedhed

its good to see odex moving a step back, i dont want fellow anime fans to get in huge trouble.

Aug 25, 2007 12:09 PM by Faust721

Odex are hungry wolves that has probally waiting for this chance to come sooner or later. talk about exploitation =3

and lol, they are the downloaders.

Aug 25, 2007 11:53 AM by 6Gy5trG8ac

theplayster said:
Or maybe he is one of the Downloaders O_o *GASP*

LMAO! xD he probably is hahahahahahaha!!!!

Aug 25, 2007 11:52 AM by magentaanbu

Yeah, hes probably one of the downloader! lol

Aug 25, 2007 8:59 AM by Kyo_Kagami

Or maybe he is one of the Downloaders O_o *GASP*

I didn't expect the part that the studio must have the 'exclusive license' or they created the anime would be the actual factors on the Judge decision. Well I guess it is great news for Singapore Anime Downloaders.

Aug 25, 2007 7:49 AM by theplayster

Odex is appealing against this Court decision though.. However, it's good to see that at least this other Judge Mr Ernest Lau has the good sense to rule in favour of Pacific Net! Odex's actions has been questionable from the start & I think this Judge may be doubtful of their actual motive as well.

Aug 25, 2007 3:43 AM by seraphire