Japanese Distributor Requests Fansub Distribution End

Popular anime fansub link site Anime Suki has revealed that Japanese distribution company Media Factory has requested that all Media Factory owned anime titles be removed from the Anime Suki website. In effect, Media Factory has officially requested, by implication, that English speaking anime fans cease unauthorized distribution of Media Factory owned anime titles including Genshiken, School Rumble, and Gankutsuou. Japanese distributors including Media Factory have a legal and ethical right to quell unauthorized distribution of their anime titles, regardless of whether or not the titles are licensed for official American release, but up until now Japanese companies have generally turned a blind eye to unauthorized distribution of their properties among English speaking fans. It’s presently unknown what, if any, effect this announcement will have on the American fan translation community nor whether other Japanese licensors will follow in Media Factory’s footsteps.