Why does Hasbro keep getting a free pass for their copyright BS?

[Plonkett 345]

I seem to be the only one noticing that every time that Hasbro takes down what is essentially a piece of fanart, they get more sympathy from people (especially some members of the fandom) because they feel that they have to, or they're just simply white nights and feel that Hasbro can do no wrong.

 

What I should ask is, where were those people when the mature Power Rangers movie got taken off YouTube, or when Nintendo had been taking down livestreams of LP's for their games, or when Konami had a picture of MGS fanart taken off of Twitter? Also, people say that once you've gotten a C&D, there's no way to fight it​. Well then, maybe you should have a little recent history lesson.

 

http://observer.com/2015/09/mom-wins-lawsuit-against-universal-over-toddlers-prince-video/

​

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/33235330/deadmau5-settles-trademark-dispute-with-disney-over-mouse-head-logo

 

So tell me, if these individuals were able to overcome frivolous copyright claims, why can't people in the brony fandom who've gotten a bogus C&D? Do you see any people there defending these companies for those lawsuits they created? It seems that whenever Hasbro does it, it's completely okay.

 

And another thing, for every time that such a takedown occurs, why is there never a peep from news sites that are not pony related? These sorta things tend to constantly fall of deaf ears. Every time an article about something getting a bogus copyright comes out, there's little to no mention of what happens to the brony fandom every once in a while. There was nothing from gaming related channels on YouTube when Fighting is Magic got taken down.  What Hasbro does when it comes to copyright is quite possibly the most extreme example. It's kind of a miracle that non of this has spread like wildfire.

Edited February 3, 2016 by vgmaster9

[Megas 27,742]

What are you talking about? Bronies grill Hasbro over copyright on a regular basis

[Plonkett 345]

What are you talking about? Bronies grill Hasbro over copyright on a regular basis

 

But everything they are, there's that vocal minority that keeps coming to their defense.

[Megas 27,742]

But everything they are, there's that vocal minority that keeps coming to their defense.

But that just reinforces what I said. That's just a vocal minority, Hasbro doesn't get a pass from the majority of bronies, and regularly rip them a new asshole over C&Ds

[Plonkett 345]

But that just reinforces what I said. That's just a vocal minority, Hasbro doesn't get a pass from the majority of bronies, and regularly rip them a new asshole over C&Ds

 

The very fact that there are any people at all. Hell, I have friends who don't give a shit about MLP whatsoever, yet even they think that what Hasbro does it absolute bullshit. That says something right there. And again, why is such an obscure topic from anywhere not MLP related? You don't hear of any of this from non-pony related content.

[Ponies4Bronies 394]

It's ok, Font Bros is giving them a taste of their own medicine.

[Plonkett 345]

It's ok, Font Bros is giving them a taste of their own medicine.

 

It's gonna get settled in their favor anyway so it really doesn't matter.

[Ponies4Bronies 394]

It's gonna get settled in their favor anyway so it really doesn't matter.

They made the mistake of asking for too much. And Font Bros is not a household name like Hasbro is.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Rainbow Dashe

[FlitterFlutter 1,584]

No matter how many people think something, someone will have the later opinion. No different here.

[Plonkett 345]

No matter how many people think something, someone will have the later opinion. No different here.

 

Like I said before, you don't see the same amount of people from the other topics from what I already mentioned. What I'm saying is that Hasbro gets more defense with copyright than any other company.

[FlitterFlutter 1,584]

Like I said before, you don't see the same amount of people from the other topics from what I already mentioned. What I'm saying is that Hasbro gets more defense with copyright than any other company.

So what? Why are you so hell bent on wanting people to shit on Hasbro?

In all honesty Hasbro has been quite good to us anyway, with all the fan sights and conventions, and art and plushies and reaction videos and so on that they allow.

[vampireponyprince 184]

I havent noticed it and i also assume its a minority so why worry if its just a minority someone is going to complain about something regardless

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

I'm not saying that I'd lose sleep over it if the piece of removed fanart was something I regarded as being crap (*cough* Grimdork *cough*), but I generally wouldn't sympathize with nor defend Hasbro for C&D-type behavior.  I can't claim to feel any particular affection for - or loyalty to - Hasbro itself.

[Plonkett 345]

So what? Why are you so hell bent on wanting people to shit on Hasbro.

In all honesty Hasbro has been quite good to us anyway, with all the fan sights and conventions, and art and plushies and reaction videos and so on that they allow.

 

Yeah, but that doesn't make the few things they did, like taking down a non-profit Tumblr webcomic (Ask Princess Molestia) any less shady or scummy. If they did it before then they can do it again at their own discretion. There's no justifiable reason for a company's legal department, striking against what was created out of love and appreciation for the product that the creator watches/reads/plays/listens to, unless it's being monetized.

[Kapitan zur See Hans (Daz) 883]

What are you on about? Hasbro is a company whose sole focus is profit. Minority fanbases create material which they may not want associated with the franchise and proceed to shut it down. As for Fighting is Magic, everybody should have know that would get a C&D. Fighting is Magic is not conducive to the image of MLP(Contrary in fact) and  could be mistaken as official leading potential backlash from parents or others who seek for any opportunity. Did the fans like it? Hell no, but we aren't going to go cry about something which was obviously not going to last.

 

There are many things we love that are taken down, one of my personal favorites which annoys me to no end was "Button's Adventures". I will voice my complaints, but you have to realize this is a company. Anything that could be harmful or is using official characters for something that might not be in the interest of Hasbro being taken down is a given(R34 aside, literally impossible to stop R34).

 

Another thing to consider, bronies are the minority fanbase of mlp. We may buy merch, but in the end we are not that important to be listened to when it comes to matters like this.

 

Addition due to previous comment: Monetization is not the only concern of Hasbro's.

[FlitterFlutter 1,584]

Yeah, but that doesn't make the few things they did, like taking down a non-profit Tumblr webcomic (Ask Princess Molestia) any less shady or scummy. If they did it before then they can do it again at their own discretion. There's no justifiable reason for a company's legal department, striking against what was created out of love and appreciation for the product that the creator watches/reads/plays/listens to, unless it's being monetized.

You are joking? They own the characters, they can do whatever the hell they want. If you have a problem with that then you have a problem with the law not Hasbro.

You have to remember all that are doing is trying to make money just like any good business. They are not after the Bronies. Also Molesita was actively mocking their character... duhhh they would take it down.

[Plonkett 345]

You are joking? They own the characters, they can do whatever the hell they want. If you have a problem with that then you have a problem with the law not Hasbro.

You have to remember all that are doing is trying to make money just like any good business. They are not after the Bronies. Also Molesita was actively mocking there character... duhhh they would take it down.

 

Then by that logic, what Nintendo's doing with let's plays of their games is good business, right? Puhleez...

[FlitterFlutter 1,584]

Then by that logic, what Nintendo's doing with let's plays of their games is good business, right? Puhleez...

Yes, once again Nintendo owns that content. They can do that if they want. Rather it is good business irrelevant. Although personally I would think not.

I am not saying it is good for Hasbro to be doing either... I have no idea I don't look at Hasbros finances. What I am saying it they are completely allowed to do so.

[Kapitan zur See Hans (Daz) 883]

Yes, once again Nintendo owns that content. They can do that if they want. Rather it is good business irrelevant. Although personally I would think not.

I am not saying it is good for Hasbro to be doing either... I have no idea I don't look at Hasbros finances. What I am saying it they are completely allowed to do so.

What Nintendo is doing is definitely not good for business, but their fanbase is composed of a lot older and younger people. What Hasbro is doing has little impact on their business, like I said bronies are the minority. Their profits are from merch, not the show(The show is just an ad). Bronies will buy merch no matter what Hasbro may do to fan content too.

 

Damn edits, I keep misspelling stuff.

[Plonkett 345]

Yes, once again Nintendo owns that content. They can do that if they want. Rather it is good business irrelevant. Although personally I would think not.

I am not saying it is good for Hasbro to be doing either... I have no idea I don't look at Hasbros finances. What I am saying it they are completely allowed to do so.

 

Any person with common sense would say that it's bad business. Because if you do something like this, it's going to turn people away from your product and they'll only despise you.

[3k932jd22328jdsf 113]

This is a link for the Copyright lawso in the United Kingdom https://www.gov.uk/copyright And link to the United Sates Copyright office fair use index basically explaining what is legal and illegal as far as the United States is concerned http://copyright.gov/fair-use/ Posting full copyrighted movie isn't even close to fan art and fan art is also illegal BTW this was a talk about the legality of fan art at ComicCon by a lawyer http://chrisoatley.com/fan-art/ Posting a full copyrighted movie is what you call piracy, distribution of a movie you don't own the rights to is copyright infringement which is illegal in pretty much any 1st world country because it allows people to illegally download the video file of YouTube (if they know what their doing and have a method to covert YouTube files to MP4 or do it through a website). It's illegal just to download pirated material only idiots get busted for doing that because it's a somewhat difficult thing to track down given how many pirates illegal download now but distribution of copyrighted content is highly illegal and can get someone not only jail time but they will likely end up owing the company or owner of the copyrights literally millions of dollars in United States currency unless they are someplaced else then it's that places form of currency.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Emerald Meteor

[FlitterFlutter 1,584]

 

 

Any person with common sense would say that it's bad business. Because if you do something like this, it's going to turn people away from your product and they'll only despise you.

Okay last time I respond, I am not saying it is good or bad I have no idea and I refuse to speculate. All I have been trying to say is it is perfectly legal.

[ShadOBabe 19,003]

Yeah, but that doesn't make the few things they did, like taking down a non-profit Tumblr webcomic (Ask Princess Molestia) any less shady or scummy.

 

To be honest, Princess Molestia was in and of itself a pretty scummy thing.

And when something like that gets spread around far enough that it starts damaging the image of the product YOU OWN, you have every right to cease and desist them. A toy company that markets towards kids understandably doesn't like their characters portrayed as sexual predators.

 

And the same with Fighting is Magic. While I was looking forward to that myself, I can understand the premise behind the C&D. TECHNICALLY you don't have the RIGHT to do whatever you want with someone else's intellectual property. Fanart is usually allowed because it doesn't damage the owner or their image, and in fact gives free advertising.

 

It is not a right, but they don't usually bother paying any attention to it unless it starts screwing with their image or their wallets.

Edited February 3, 2016 by ShadOBabe

[Plonkett 345]

To be honest, Princess Molestia was in and of itself a pretty scummy thing.

And when something like that gets spread around far enough that it starts damaging the image of the product YOU OWN, you have every right to cease and desist them. A toy company that markets towards kids understandably doesn't like their characters portrayed as sexual predators.

 

And the same with Fighting is Magic. While I was looking forward to that myself, I can understand the premise behind the C&D. TECHNICALLY you don't have the RIGHT to do whatever you want with someone else's intellectual property. Fanart is usually allowed because it doesn't damage the owner or their image, and in fact gives free advertising.

 

It is not a right, but they don't usually bother paying any attention to it unless it starts screwing with their image or their wallets.

 

Them taking town Princess Molestia had nothing to do with the content that was made, it was only taken down because it used a character that they own. Even if that was the case, it would be nothing other than pure censorship.

And how exactly did Fighting damage the product's image? Cause the characters were fighting each other? Again, censorship.

[vampireponyprince 184]

let me put it this way if they own it they can do what they want with it it doesnt matter if someones feelings are hurt iin the process because they probably dont want their product to be displayed in such a manner as princess molestia