Is making AMVs (AMV stands for Anime Music Video) against the law?
July 15th, 2008 | by admin |
bobmarleypeople asked:
According to Wikipedia, making fansubs is a breach of copyright but many people still make and download them although not paying for them. Anime Music videos are videos with a usually musical soundtrack with Japanese Anime used instead of the original video (if any). Sometimes, live action footage is also used. For example, the music from the film Titanic was used in an AMV that had a boat being destroyed by some form of huge laser mixed with original footage from Titanic. However, looking across the internet, I have not found a clear answer whether this is legal or not. Of cource AMVs are usually free. Is this legal though?
The music is left the same although the Titanic one mentioned was a “mini-AMV” of about 30 seconds from the very popular AMV Hell 3 http://amvhell.com/
Spyware Removal
According to Wikipedia, making fansubs is a breach of copyright but many people still make and download them although not paying for them. Anime Music videos are videos with a usually musical soundtrack with Japanese Anime used instead of the original video (if any). Sometimes, live action footage is also used. For example, the music from the film Titanic was used in an AMV that had a boat being destroyed by some form of huge laser mixed with original footage from Titanic. However, looking across the internet, I have not found a clear answer whether this is legal or not. Of cource AMVs are usually free. Is this legal though?
The music is left the same although the Titanic one mentioned was a “mini-AMV” of about 30 seconds from the very popular AMV Hell 3 http://amvhell.com/
Spyware Removal
Tags: Anime Video, Film Titanic, Music Film
6 Responses to “Is making AMVs (AMV stands for Anime Music Video) against the law?”
By cimarch on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
It depends where you are.
In general, if the music has been altered enough that it cannot be recorded as a track similar to one being sold then it’s legal. Think of radio stations playing jingles over tunes and cutting them, it’s the same sort of thing.
By spookysickness on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Eh… I think it’s really more of a touch-and-go subject. Though they do contain scenes of anime, they never contain an entire show/episode. Showing clips of something (which can be good advertisement) isn’t really illegal, but I think the songs are more iffy.
However, since the ideal time is 2.5-3 minutes for an AMV, and most songs usually last longer, it’s not uncommon for a maker to edit the song and make it shorter; therefore, not playing the entire song. Credit it also always given (unless the maker is an idiot) to both the anime and song, which is another form of advertisement.
If it is illegal, I’ve heard nothing being done about it. It’s common for all anime conventions to allow AMV contests and, if there was a chance of getting into trouble for that, they wouldn’t allow these contests. AMVs are free, yes, but to get the best footage a maker will buy the DVDs, thus supporting the product. To get the song, it’s easier to just snag the CD and not the entire album is used. Perhaps in specific terms it’s “illegal” but no one’s created a fuss over it that I’ve heard about. It’s just a form of entertainment which can help get out word for both anime series and musical groups.
By koyote on Jul 20, 2008 | Reply
If it were illegal, how come people post them on youtube.com for everyone else to watch? They’d probably get in trouble if it were illegal. Why would so many people make amv’s if it were illegal? I doubt it’s illegal.
By abby-chan on Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
i sure hope it isnt!!
By theplaidbadger on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Not if they don’t catch you.
By praisedivinemercy on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Hopefully it qualifies as fair use. In Japan many companies permit the creation of “dojinshi” or fan created comics, because it’s free advertising. I’ve actually bought albums because of songs I’ve heard in AMVs. Hopefully US companies will develop a similiar response to their Japanese counterparts.