AnimeSuki
| AnimeSuki | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Web address | AnimeSuki.com |
| Commercial? | No |
Type of site | Anime torrent index |
| Available in | English |
| Owner | GHDpro |
| Created by | GHDpro |
| Launched | December 26, 2002 |
Alexa rank |
 60,150[1] |
| Current status | Active |
AnimeSuki (from Japanese anime and suki (好き, "like" or "love")) is a website and "... the largest database of BitTorrent anime shows"[2] that focuses on providing unlicensed anime fansubs using the BitTorrent peer-to-peer system. The website was created by GHDpro on December 26, 2002.[3] Animesuki is not a tracker; instead, it provides links to many trackers across the web. It does not list pornography or series that have been licensed in North America.
Copyright controversy
The site only links to anime that has not been licensed by any American companies. Once a title is licensed, the corresponding fansub links are removed from the site and the series is listed on its licensed list. Nonetheless, although none of the files are hosted on the site itself, AnimeSuki could be held accountable for violating copyright law, as linking to sites that themselves infringe on the law has been considered a form of contributory infringement in the United States (Intellectual Reserve v. Utah Lighthouse Ministry).
Though fansubs are technically copyright violations, AnimeSuki's legal page alleges that the WTO TRIPS Agreement specifies that the distribution of copyrighted material is only necessarily illegal when done on a commercial scale, thus making it difficult for anyone besides the copyright holder to prosecute fansubbers. To date, only one Japanese company, Media Factory, has requested its content removed from the site.[4] However, Funimation and Kadokawa Pictures USA have also sent them separate cease and desist letters concerning several titles, which were promptly removed.[5][6] In Singapore, Odex has specifically singled out AnimeSuki as a source to target its downloaders with legal action.
AnimeSuki is also known for erring on the side of caution regarding licenses. Even though some series such as Hanaukyo Maids were not initially licensed, AnimeSuki kept them from being listed because of the likelihood that Geneon would secure the rights to it.
See also
References
- ↑ "Animesuki.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
- ↑ Fortune - "It's... Profitmón!" - Daniel Roth - December 12, 2005
- ↑ Site Guide
- ↑ AnimeNation Anime News Blog
- ↑ Funimation Sends out Cease & Desist Letters For Multiple Anime - Anime News Network
- ↑ Kadokawa USA Orders Halt on Fansub Links for 11 Anime (Updated) - Anime News Network