On August 20th, A court in the United States has issued an order to reveal the information of users responsible for illegally leaking anime episodes before their official release.specifically from the popular series “Kimetsu no Yaiba” (Demon Slayer) and “Jujutsu Kaisen“This decision marks a milestone, as it is the first time that a US court has taken such a measure in relation to Japanese anime.
The court order came after companies Aniplex Inc. and Toho Co., Ltd.both members of the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), file a petition requesting disclosure of information about the accounts involved in the leak. CODA played a key role in gathering evidence and providing legal support for this request. The copyrights to these series are held by these companies, which has allowed them to move forward legally in the search for those responsible.
According to CODA, the leaks included previously unreleased video content and still images from the aforementioned series and were posted on multiple Twitter accounts. These posts quickly gained popularity, racking up a large number of views. A total of 12 Twitter accounts have reportedly been flagged by the court, as they had been sharing the content without authorization and without legal access to it since last year.
This is not the first time that illegal previews of this kind have affected anime. CODA has received numerous complaints regarding pre-release leaks for other titles, and is working with copyright holders to gather more information and take similar action in future cases. The disclosure of these users' information is just the first step in a broader plan to take strict legal action against those who distribute unauthorized content, seeking to impose exemplary penalties that will deter others from leaking.
Do leaks ruin the viewing experience?
The impact of leaks on the anime industry is a topic of constant debate. On the one hand, the most loyal fans prefer to enjoy the content in its official format, supporting the creators and ensuring they have the best quality in their viewing experience. On the other hand, leaks create early expectations that can damage the experience of watching the episodes at the expected time.
The viewer experience can be affected in several ways. First, Twitter leaks often include incomplete or low-quality material, which distorts the way the final product was conceived. Additionally, those who access this content early could be spoiled, depriving themselves of the surprise and impact that the creators seek to generate with each episode. In the case of such popular series as “Kimetsu no Yaiba” and “Jujutsu Kaisen”, which are known for their exciting plots and plot twists, These leaks can ruin the collective enjoyment when the official episode is finally released.
On the other hand, leaks affect anime studios and producers financially, since a large part of their income comes from audiences at official premieres and subscriptions to streaming platforms. If episodes are circulated for free and prematurely, the incentive to pay for the content decreases, which negatively impacts the financing of future productions.
In short, while some may view leaks as an opportunity to see content before others on Twitter, the damage they do to the industry and the viewer experience is significant. Legal measures like those being taken now seek to protect both creators and fans.ensuring that the anime can be enjoyed the way it was intended, preserving the emotion and integrity of the content.
Fountain: Yomiuri Shimbun
