FUNimation Talks Cease & Desists

[Chris Beveridge]

A lot of conversation has gone on in the last few days about some new "Cease and Desist" orders sent out to fansubbing groups regarding some prominent series and FUNimation is attempting to get in front of the issue a bit with a new statement released this morning:"We can confirm that FUNimation Entertainment has obtained&nbsp...

More... (http://www.mania.com/funimation-talks-cease-desists_article_86894.html)

[The Great Bear]

The statement basically says it all.

I've never assumed that Funi necessarily has a show because they're sending out the C&D letters. Helping out Japanese companies is all part of doing business. Keeping on the good side of companies helps you later in negotiations for titles, and might help more than we know in titles that go to a bidding war.

It does show, however, that these are titles that are considered by the Japanese companies to be good candidates for licensing.

[Suwako Moriya]

It does show, however, that these are titles that are considered by the Japanese companies to be good candidates for licensing.

If I'm lucky Bamboo Blade will be considered good enough to get licensed as two cour sets.

[Buckeye]

As has been the case in the past, I suspect the C&D letters are issued because Funimation is in the process of negotiating for the license and that they want to protect their investment before official word gets out. El Cazador is one title that I think is an unannounced Sojitz title that ADV would have licensed before all this happened with their breakup and being the fan-oriented company Funimation is, they are doing the distribution. Slayers Revolution was not a surprise that Funi picked it up since they are already re-releasing the TV series with CPM being everything short of dead and ADV turning their attention to something other than anime.