Chapter 279: Infringement
"Did Manga Paradise sue us for infringement?"
On April 20th, Takumi received surprising news from a call from Genji. Manga Paradise, from Japan, sued Mirai-sensei and Hinotori Publishing in Osaka District Court, alleging that the source of the Gundam theme was several veteran mangaka from Japan, and presented corresponding evidence.
The evidence is very simple. The Gundam theme seems innovative, but in reality, many mangaka could have thought of it. If you look for a giant robot controlled by a person, you will always find some mangaka who have had a similar idea.
And as long as you find some seemingly plausible initial configurations, it's very easy to use them as evidence.
"Don't worry, right? They can't succeed!"
Takumi said to comfort Genji. Even if Manga Paradise wanted to prove that Mirai-sensei and Hinotori Publishing infringed rights with the supposed "evidence," it would be completely impossible. Their evidence would only cause controversy, at most, and it would be impossible to prove with certainty that "Mobile Suit" was Gundam's predecessor.
"That's right, but Manga Paradise's purpose..."
Genji explained to Takumi that Manga Paradise's purpose was not at all to prosper in the lawsuit. They just wanted to stir up debate. As long as the topic generated confusion, Manga Paradise would triumph.
In Japan, the fact that Manga Paradise headquarters
sued Hinotori Publishing made many uncomfortable. After finishing his work, the secretary finally had time to ask Ryuji why he was doing it.
"President, it is unlikely that our lawsuit will succeed. Isn't it a futile effort?"
He said it without hesitation. Manga Paradise had no way to prove that Hinotori Publishing had infringed copyright, and their lawsuit was doomed to fail.
"It doesn't matter." However, Ryuji remained very calm. He smiled and said: "They have no evidence to prove that we are talking nonsense. It doesn't matter, even if we lose this time. After the lawsuit, the Gundam series will be a mess. No one will be able to prove who is orthodox. Our Mobile Suit can take the opportunity to create a new brand."
This is Ryuji's plan. He promoted Mobile Suit and Gundam, and people must be confused. In the end, no one knows which is orthodox between Gundam and Mobile Suit, except Manga Paradise.
In this way, Mobile Suit has become a new brand that can compete with Gundam.
"Why are you doing this?"
the secretary asked, still not understanding.
"Because Gundam has great potential,"
Ryuji said with a smile. His Mobile Suit were very popular after broadcast. Without a doubt, this is a theme with great potential. And he has a unique vision and has discovered many business opportunities.
Hinotori Publishing has opened the right to use Gundam. Others can use Gundam to create manga and anime, but if they wish to engage in commercial activities, such as selling models and merchandise, they must pay us a portion of the patent royalties.
Ryuji scoffed: "I'm confusing the scene. As long as Mobile Suit is recognized, we can use this name for commercial activities. Isn't that a good deal?"
The secretary understood that Ryuji's action was a preemptive move.
Manga Paradise took the initiative to sue Hinotori Publishing. Although it would not succeed, Hinotori Publishing would not be able to hinder the Mobile Suit trademark in the future. Manga Paradise saved a lot of money.
"The president is wise!" the secretary praised: "But, president, what if Hinotori Publishing can prove that Gundam is orthodox?"
That is the only loophole in the plan.
"Prove orthodoxy? How to prove it?" Ryuji shook his head and said: "If you want to prove that Gundam is orthodox, you have to provide very complex and detailed Gundam settings. Only then will people believe that Gundam was created by Mirai-sensei."
"But that's impossible...",
Ryuji said, narrowing his eyes: "Mirai-sensei proposed the Gundam theme more than a year ago, but he didn't draw it himself. It's possible that it wasn't a perfect theme at the time, but just an idea."
"Other mangaka have explored this idea for a year, and the current settings far exceed Mirai-sensei's conception." He added: "Especially our Manga Paradise, our settings are the most modern; Mirai-sensei cannot surpass us, and even if he did, as long as it's not too big, it doesn't matter."
Only when Mirai-sensei's Gundam configuration far surpasses Manga Paradise's, at least by a difference of a few years, can it be proven that Gundam is orthodox. Otherwise, it will not be convincing: Manga Paradise will be able to claim that Mirai-sensei borrowed their configuration and improved it.
"The president has thought of everything..."
The secretary smiled, convinced this time: Manga Paradise's lawsuit would undoubtedly make Hinotori Publishing unable to resist.
In fact, subsequent events also confirmed this speculation. After Manga Paradise filed the lawsuit, Hinotori Publishing did not react strongly. They merely presented evidence to refute their unreasonable demands.
After a month of review, the court finally ruled that Manga Paradise's lawsuit was invalid.
However, this incident caused great controversy in Japan's manga industry. The orthodox dispute between Mobile Suit and Gundam was published in several newspapers.
Experts and academics began to debate. Some supported Hinotori Publishing and others Manga Paradise. As the situation worsened, Manga Paradise supporters gradually became the majority.
Other manga companies realized that this was an opportunity. If two orthodoxies existed, Hinotori Publishing's commercial monopoly on Gundam would disappear. They could choose the lower-priced one between "Gundam" and "Mobile Suit" for commercial activities.
In Japan, the media supported Manga Paradise with even greater bias.
"Mobile Suit belongs to us, Hinotori Publishing, out of Japan!"
"Mirai-sensei, that coward, didn't even dare to go to trial! He must be scared. We should support Akiro and his team's original Mobile Suit!"
Such radical comments can be seen everywhere on the internet in Japan, and they have even spread to mainland Japan, and even Mirai-sensei's family has some discordant curses.
Of course, most of Mirai-sensei's family still supports him, and those who curse are asking for trouble.
Hinotori Publishing and Tsuki Animation Company were not greatly affected. Despite the external noise, they continued to work with usual calm.
This calmness surprised many, but when journalists asked, no one wanted to reveal the inside story.
It was normal. Manga Paradise's behavior seemed important, but in the eyes of both companies' senior executives, it was commonplace. As soon
as "Gundam SEED" was launched, with a body design several years ahead of other companies, the public immediately knew who was orthodox.
Remaining silent at that moment was the best decision for both companies. If they had said it earlier, it would have attracted Manga Paradise's attention and hindered anime production.
Thus, in this atmosphere of external noise and internal silence, time quickly passed to mid-May, and from that moment on, "Gundam SEED" entered its final phase.
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