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3 Titles' Fansubs Pulled on Behalf of Japan's d-rights (Updated)

Last week, Funimation exercised a power-of-attorney agreement to remove online fansubbed videos of El Cazador de la Bruja.

The power-of-attorney agreement does not necessarily mean that these titles have a North American video distributor, but the agreement does enforce d-rights' existing worldwide copyrights for these series. Funimation has a separate power-of-attorney agreement for acquired Romeo × Juliet for North American distribution this year, but a North American distributor for Bokurano has not been announced.

Thanks to CatzCradle for the news tip.

Image © Production Committee

Update: Funimation issued the following statement on August 18:

We can confirm that FUNimation Entertainment has obtained has obtained an agreement authorizing FUNimation to act on behalf of d-rights and Enoki Films, Ltd. to prevent infringement on specific titles.

The authorization agreement for d-rights is for 5 series in total:

Monochrome Factor

Nabari no Ou

Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn!

Bamboo Blade

El Cazador de la Bruja

We also have an authorization agreement for Enoki Films Ltd for Slayers Revolution.

Though these series have not been licensed to a local distributor in North America, it is important to note that the rights owned by Japanese producers are still applicable, and enforceable, worldwide.

Industry watchers and anime fans have long known our stance on the unauthorized distribution of anime, especially prior to localization. The practices of illegal s and 'fansubbing' are very harmful to our Japanese partners and as part of the longstanding relationship between FUNimation and d-rights and Enoki Films, we have been asked to monitor and take action against unauthorized distribution of these titles. Because we believe that this will benefit the industry, we have agreed to do so.