gsj_mods ([info]gsj_mods) wrote,
@ 2009-01-14 13:34:00
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Entry tags:bootlegs

The GSJ Bootleg Guide
BEFORE YOU COMMENT - PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE GUIDE CAREFULLY!!!
Disclaimer: this guide does not say that all region 0 dvds are bootlegs!


How to spot bootlegged items:

It is against GSJ rules to sell bootlegs (illegal copies of anime/manga/Japanese related goods). Sometimes, when you're new to the fandom, its difficult to spot them.

So here's a quick guide of things you should look out for.


Definition of bootlegs:

Items (dvd/cds/other goods) produced for sale from companies that do not legally hold the copyrights authority to produce these. In instances when the Anime/Asian drama series were produced by companies outside of their country of origin, the manufacturer must hold a legally binding agreement with the original producer of the series.

e.g. Bleach anime series
Japanese Production:
Dentsu Inc.
Studio Pierrot
TV Tokyo

Licensed by:
Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. (Australia/New Zealand)
Manga Entertainment (UK)
Viz Media

Items produced by companies that do not have this legal agreement are considered BOOTLEGS!!!

(The only items fitting the above definition, but are allowed for sale at GSJ are fanmade items e.g. Doujinshi).


Anime/J-drama/J-movies DVDs/CDs

1 - Check region codes
Like most officially released DVDs, anime DVDs are governed by regions/zones.
American releases: Region 1
Japan releases: Region 2
UK/Europe releases: Region 2
Taiwan/Thailand/South Korea etc releases: Region 3
Australia/New Zealand releases: Region 4
China/Hong Kong: Region 6

Bootlegged anime/drama/movie DVDs are often region free (region 0/All region). This means that they can play on any DVD player and playstation.
There are of course exceptions - such as some of the early Manga Entertainment releases, and the Eastern Eye (Japanese movies) titles released by Madman Australia/New Zealand. Some official Asian films/Dramas may also be all region. Please check with sites with good reputation e.g. Yes Asia.


2 - Check language settings
Most official US anime releases are:
a) English track, and Japanese track with English Subtitles.
b) Japanese track with English Subtitles only.
Ocassionally they may have other language subtitles e.g. French or Spanish (such as in the Ghibli releases by Buena Vista)
Similarly with other English speaking countries.

Most Japanese releases only has the Japanese track. Some may also have English subtitles, but this is very rare.

Bootlegged anime DVDs will have Japanese track with Chinese subtitles (some times home made Chinese tracks) + English subtitles. This combination should give you a warning. The English subtitles are usually horribly translated.

Exceptions - some official J- / K- /TW- / C- dramas will have English/Chinese subtitles. These are usually Official overseas releases.
Please verify from sites with good reputations such as Yes Asia.


3 - Packaging
Most US releases comes in the plastic DVD cases, with coverart.
Paper gatefold packaging use to be a good indication of bootlegs, however there are some legitimate US versions (boxsets) that use this type of packaging e.g. Inu Yasha.
Other telltale signs of bootlegs: Chinese Language (please note the difference between Chinese and Japanese Kanji - I have yet to come across an any legitimate Japanese anime items with packaging completely in Kanji) and poor image quality on packaging.


4 - Episode number per DVDs.
While not absolute, most US anime DVDs (with a few exceptions) have 3-5 episodes per disc. Which makes 3-4 DVDs per 12-13 episode season, up to 7 DVDs per 24-26 episode season. 10-13 DVDs per ~50 episode season.

Bootlegged anime DVDs will squeeze these into 2-3 discs - which decreases the quality of the anime.

Exceptions - some anime can have up to 7 episodes per disc, especially if they are in a season/half season box set e.g. Ghost Hunt (Funanimation).


5 - Publishing company
ALWAYS match your titles with the official releases by looking them up through:
US releases - English + Japanese languages - The Righstuf
Others - check out Yes Asia, CD Japan
The publishers details are listed in the above sites.
Make sure to compare ISBN, manufacturers' codes as well - this is especially important for items like CDs.
If you know the ISBN, you can directly look them up on amazon.co.jp (JP releases only).

All legitimate media should have their publishing company logo/name printed somewhere on the DVD/CD/packaging!

Most Taiwanese anime/j-pop cd releases are BOOTLEGS - the following is a list of known bootleg music CD companies and their codes:
The company name consists of only two or three-letter words (SM/GGG/GA=SonMay and A8=Ever Anime) followed by a string of numbers (usually 3 digits long).
Taken from: Animefringe
Check out examples of bootleg company logos from Otaku News: The Pirate Anime FAQ

***SonMay releases - this company has produced both bootlegged and licensed soundtracks. Soundtrack titles of anime prior to 2001 are definitely bootlegs (unlicensed), soundtracks produced after 2001 are only legitimate if sold in Taiwan. GSJ caters to an international community, therefore they are considered bootlegs!


6 - Other things to look for
Euphemisms for bootlegged media: Imports/Imported version/[Import]

Releases of recent anime: Japanese DVD releases are usually about 4 months behind the TV broadcasts. Licensed anime DVD releases should be AFTER the Japanese DVD releases. If you see a complete season of an anime that has just recently been broadcasted on Japanese TV or the DVD has yet to be completely released in Japan, then its likely to be a bootleg.

Bootleg copies of licensed Region 1 series: These have English Dub/Subs + Japanese tracks. They are likely to have a lower DVD per season count than the original AND they will NOT have the name of the official licensing company printed on the packaging (it may be in the credits when watching the DVD - because they copied everything).

Fake authentication stickers: Sellers sometimes claim that: "This is an original DVD that comes with original seal and authentication sticker from Malaysian Government. We don't sell fake or copied DVD." <-- most of the time, this is not true. The stickers are fakes. Always check the manufacturer/licensee of the title first!

Obvious manufacturer names and/or Engrish name: e.g. anime cartoon, Lambaian Filem, J-TV, Speedy Videos.


7 - South Asian Licensed Anime by Odex
Some officially licensed anime with high episode to DVD counts do exist - ones licensed for South-Asia is by Odex (a highly controversial company - please google for details, as the company website is defunct.).


8 - Countries making bootlegged DVDs
The following is a list of countries that has factory-made quality anime and drama (please note that some of these countries do have their own legitimate licensed versions read above for other signs). This is a list of country of origin, NOT country these can be found to be sold in!!! USA imports a lot of these, and they may or may not be marked as 'imports'.

  • China (Mainland and Hong Kong)
  • Taiwan
  • Malaysia (see above note about fake authentication stickers)
  • Singapore




Manga

These are more difficult to spot, but certain titles e.g. Death Note - do not have a legitimate corresponding Chinese version (as far as I know).



Wallscrolls, posters, plush toys and other anime/manga related goods
Again, these are difficult to spot. The 'made in China' sign does not automatically mean that the items are bootlegs.
However, legitimate anime merchandise WILL have the publishing/licensing company printed somewhere on the item (licensing logo).
e.g. Bandai, Hana to Yume etc, Movic etc. 

Note: the name of the anime in Japanese DOES NOT COUNT as a licensing logo!

Animate, Movic (sites are in Japanese) and Jpqueen (site in English) are good sites to see whether anime-related merchandise released in Japan are authentic . If you find a BRAND NEW item that is selling for significantly lower than the stated RRP, it may be a bootleg.


Particulars -
Wallscrolls and posters:
Legitimate anime wallscrolls are few and far between, most are bootlegs from China.
Poor granulated images are also a sign of bootlegged printed media.
  • Wallscrolls should always have their licensing company(ies) printed on the fabric (example link - note that Viz/Shounen Jump are both visible on the actual fabric)
Bleach example - please click to enlarge: the two bottom corners displaying licensing details are circled in red.

Japanese Official releases:
fabric wallscroll


paper wallscroll (note the writing = manufacturer/licensing detail)
  • Merchandise posters (i.e. not magazine ripouts) should have the licensing company printed on it.
Watch out for bootlegs that are made in Taiwan - These have extremely visible 'Made in Taiwan' in white/off white letterings on the posters. Sometimes, they will also contain some type of codes (letters and numbers) also in the same lettering.
- note that many sellers often call these 'laminated posters' as they are printed on thick glossy paper.

Plush toys - they should have their licensing company printed on the fabric tag that's sewn into the plush. If it does not have one and/or shows a company that is not immediately recognisable as a legitimate manufacturer of plush toys, please be wary of them!

Anime figures  -  nutsforanimefigures has a good overview.
 
Artbooks:
Pertaining to anime/manga related artbook
MOST CHINESE LANGUAGE ANIME/MANGA ARTBOOKS ARE BOOTLEGS!!!
exception - the licensed mainland Chinese version of the Sailor moon artbooks - these are Softcover copies.
Match the ISBN # at the back with known ligitimate images/details from JPQUEEN.
- artbook that are of series originated from China

If your artbook comes with a VCD/DVD - its likely a bootleg.
If your artbook has a manufacturer's email address that is from a free client e.g. yahoo, gmail, or hotmail - its a bootleg.
If your artbook has no ISBN or printing details (or they are very vague) - its likely a bootleg

Visual signs of bootlegged artbook (but could also apply to other printed media e.g. wallscrolls, posters, post cards):
  • grainy image
  • artworks that looks like its been cut off
  • artworks that has a weird border <-- looks like the serrated joining area for a clear file? that's where it came from!



Useful links to check out if you're unsure whether the items you're intending to sell/buy is legitimate:
For legitimate US anime/manga and related items - The Rightstuf
For legitimate licensed Asian movies/series/music - Yes Asia, CD Japan
For legitimate licensed anime/manga goods straight from Japan - JPQUEEN

Other bootleg guides:
Otaku News: The Pirate Anime FAQ
Animefringe: Made in Taiwan


Note: Just because an item is for sale on Amazon, Ebay, at a convention or at any other major anime/book stores DOES NOT automatically mean they are legitimate licensed items.
Bootleg sellers do sell through these venues!!!
 
 

(20 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]so_deranged
2009-08-04 08:00 am UTC (link)
Does unofficial idol goods (pictures, etc) come under this too?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-08-04 10:40 am UTC (link)
It depends on what you mean by 'unofficial'. If the item is not a licensed product (i.e. home made or printed copies/replicates of official items that's not endorsed for sale) then yes, it falls under the bootleg category.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]so_deranged
2009-08-04 11:10 am UTC (link)
Well, the pictures are either pictures from lives (like the ones that appear on the internet before the official ones do) and pictures from magazines (but not cuttings)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-08-04 07:48 pm UTC (link)
Posters/clippings from magazines are ok, reprints of these are not if they didn't come from an official source.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Kon Plush on Rakuten
(Anonymous)
2009-08-04 03:16 pm UTC (link)
Hi, I found this kon plush in a online store on rakuten.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/b-drop/plush-kon-udegumi/ <--- The link.

Can you tell me if this is a original product? I do not wish to buy/support bootlegs. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Kon Plush on Rakuten
[info]gsj_mods
2009-08-04 08:00 pm UTC (link)
As far as I can tell, the item is legit, but its sold out so you won't be able to buy it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Quick question on D.Gray-man Anime
[info]pliash
2009-09-01 04:03 pm UTC (link)
Is this a bootleg?

So far, just going by your check-list, it seems like it probably is a bootleg D:? (Especially since I couldn't find this version on YesAsia.) I'm not 100% positive though.

Mind giving your opinion?

♥

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Quick question on D.Gray-man Anime
[info]gsj_mods
2009-09-01 07:33 pm UTC (link)
Yes it is. Legitimate anime from Asia is almost always region coded i.e. not All region. That's the Malaysian bootleg, which they sell on ebay and says its 'authenticated by the Malaysian government'.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]usagi_no_hotaru
2009-09-04 03:42 am UTC (link)
So these dvds are all bootleg? They have both English and Japanese languages with subs, but I was never clear on whether it was official or not. /:

Edited at 2009-09-04 03:42 am UTC

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-09-04 06:18 am UTC (link)
Yes they are bootlegs. They're region free, low disc number and there's titles that are known to not even have an English release.
Always check and compare with the US anime releases, there are very few anime that have English sub that 1 - do not come from the US or 2 - follow the US format (i.e. they sublicense from the US). All anime should have a clear region code. Asian releases should not have any English subs (except for some legitimate R2 and ones released by Odex).

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Dir en Grey (Vulgar, Kisou, Six Ugly)
[info]aznsmiley117
2009-09-26 08:19 am UTC (link)
Hello,
I have a question. I bought some Dir en Grey CDs and they contain all original artwork, inserts, and case. Vulgar even came with an obi. I made sure to check the booklets and everything with originals. There is no noticeable difference in quality or content. However, Kisou and Six Ugly came with extra stuff like slip sleeves, and the company was not by free-will. Does that mean they are bootleggs or different country releases that I was never aware about?

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Dir en Grey (Vulgar, Kisou, Six Ugly)
[info]gsj_mods
2009-09-26 09:38 am UTC (link)
What is the manufacturing company's (label) name? Would the company be Miya Records? If so, then its a bootleg. Slip sleeves and the likes sometimes only come with first press. Also if you purchased the albums secondhand, they may not come with slip cases.

The label for the 3 Dir en Grey you mentioned should be Fire Wall Division/SMEJ (JP).
The following catalog code should be somewhere on the case and CD:
SFCD-21 - Vulgar
SFCD-12 - Kisou
SFCD-15 - Six Ugly

These are the foreign labels that Dir en Grey has released under:
The European label - Gan-Shin
The US labels - Warcon/Fontana or The End

If they are not any of those, then they are likely bootlegs. Also check the ISBN number - would give you some clue as to country of production (or if its a fake, then the ISBN should be wrong).

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2009-10-21 06:43 am UTC (link)
I feel like this bootleg guide keeps saying that items from those countries listed are bootlegs, but it is not always true. I want to clarify to everyone that I bought Japanese CDs and DVD on yesasia.com and they are either Hong Kong Version or Taiwan Version, and they are official releases for overseas and manufactured by Sony BMG Music Entertainment. And yes, the DVD is region code 3. Please don't make this guide sound like if the item is not released in Japan, then it's a bootleg. I feel like this guide drives away potential buyers that may be interested in overseas version of the products. Also, it would be nice if this guide is organized a bit more. It gets really wordy and the format is disorganized half way through.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-10-21 07:55 pm UTC (link)
This guide does not state that anything produced outside of Japan are bootlegs. It correlates the region codes to country of origin (of official releases - point 1) and states YesAsia as a reputable source of official releases from both Japan and other countries. Please read it carefully!

Exceptions - some official J- / K- /TW- / C- dramas will have English/Chinese subtitles. These are usually Official overseas releases.
Please verify from sites with good reputations such as Yes Asia.

My apologies if its wordy, but I was trying to put everything of relevance in it. This guide is updated every once in a while. If you find any particular wording that requires clarification/shortening, please point it out. Thank you for your input.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]drkangelyahriel
2009-11-18 03:55 pm UTC (link)
Adding to, if I may -
Amazon Japan is also a great way to check ISBN and other barcode numbers.
Nothing fancy about doing it either - just enter it in the search bar. The book matching the ISBN should be the only result.
Good for checking manga, art books, DVDs, etc.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-12-05 07:58 pm UTC (link)
Thank you, I will add this to the guide.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]bishie_shop
2009-12-02 04:42 am UTC (link)
I've always wondered why the bootlegging rule is restricted to media. I'd like to see knock-off jewelry items banned as well. So many sellers advertise "Vivienne Westwood" jewelry that turns out to be 100% Hong Kong crap, and no one seems to care...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-12-05 08:40 pm UTC (link)
Its not restricted to media per se, they are just easier to recognise because 1 - I am more familiar with them, and 2 - there are a lot of small boutique brands with clothing and fashion. But, if you do see any knockoff for major brands, please report it here and I'll request a takedown.

Thanks!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2009-12-03 06:52 pm UTC (link)
Well, just wanted to tell you guys that there are plenty of region free DVDs released in Hong Kong which ARE official releases, just because it's region free doesn't always imply it's a bootleg. take a look at yesasia and you got dozens of official region free releases of anime and movies.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gsj_mods
2009-12-05 07:52 pm UTC (link)
We are aware of region free official Drama releases.

Please read the above carefully:

Under point #1:


Bootlegged anime/drama/movie DVDs are often region free (region 0/All region). This means that they can play on any DVD player and playstation.
There are of course exceptions - such as some of the early Manga Entertainment releases, and the Eastern Eye (Japanese movies) titles released by Madman Australia/New Zealand. Some official Asian films may also be all region. Please check with sites with good reputation e.g. Yes Asia.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

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