Dattebayo
Dattebayo Staff Arrested at Otakon
2007/07/22
Baltimore, MD USA
Sat Jul 21, 2007 11:10PM EDT
Today at 5:57PM five members of the Dattebayo staff were arrested at the Baltimore Convention Center as they prepared for their panel as part of the Otakon Convention. Four uniformed police officers, along with legal counsel of a complaintent company, approached the stage shortly before the presentation was to begin. Witnesses said that along with the arrest, the officers seized the laptop of one of the group members, which was intended to be used for presentation purposes.
The officers, as well as the lawyers, would not respond to media inquires regarding the reason for these arrests beyond stating that they stemmed from the illegal reproduction of copyrighted works.
The panel, which was originally called "Fansubbing/Manga Scanlation" was recently renamed to "Dattebayo Fansubbing". Experts speculate that this may have alerted authorities to the location of the group members and left an opportunity for this course of action.
Witness reactions varied including one Richard Sequoa who said, "I just can't believe something like this could happen at our convention." Another witness, a Judy Hibertson, said, "I'm glad. This is what they get for their constant trolling. It's just not funny!"
When asked to comment, group member Interacti said, "I've been told by my lawyer not to say anything because of the sensitive nature of legal matters however this has been a trying experience and I'm glad my new cell-mate "Spikes" has been there to comfort me."
2007/07/22
Baltimore, MD USA
Sat Jul 21, 2007 11:10PM EDT
Today at 5:57PM five members of the Dattebayo staff were arrested at the Baltimore Convention Center as they prepared for their panel as part of the Otakon Convention. Four uniformed police officers, along with legal counsel of a complaintent company, approached the stage shortly before the presentation was to begin. Witnesses said that along with the arrest, the officers seized the laptop of one of the group members, which was intended to be used for presentation purposes.
The officers, as well as the lawyers, would not respond to media inquires regarding the reason for these arrests beyond stating that they stemmed from the illegal reproduction of copyrighted works.
The panel, which was originally called "Fansubbing/Manga Scanlation" was recently renamed to "Dattebayo Fansubbing". Experts speculate that this may have alerted authorities to the location of the group members and left an opportunity for this course of action.
Witness reactions varied including one Richard Sequoa who said, "I just can't believe something like this could happen at our convention." Another witness, a Judy Hibertson, said, "I'm glad. This is what they get for their constant trolling. It's just not funny!"
When asked to comment, group member Interacti said, "I've been told by my lawyer not to say anything because of the sensitive nature of legal matters however this has been a trying experience and I'm glad my new cell-mate "Spikes" has been there to comfort me."
Dattebayo 7/22/07
We've recently received further information that the arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday morning. We will continue to update as details are forthcoming.
Dattebayo 7/23/07
Good news, the arraignment was rescheduled on short notice for early this morning. Naturally the staff plead not guilty. It just got done and the staff was released on bail. Pre-trial will be in two weeks. When asked for comment interactii had this to say, "<~interactii> MY a** is kinda soar". The staff is very grateful for the support that we've received via the feedback and chat room.
Datterbayo 7/24/07
This afternoon state police arrived at the homes of several of the staff members who were arrested in Baltimore this last weekend. There they exercised a warrant to search and seize any electronic devices with the ability to copy, modify or redistribute audio and/or video media of a copyrighted nature. As such, several computers, hard drives, and even a few VCRs were seized during evidence collection. This has proven especially hard on one of the staff members who operates a home business and utilized their computer daily in that operation.
Dattebayo 7/26/07
Late this afternoon, following the earlier searches of several staff members' homes, the state police arrived at the homes of the remaining members who had been arrested in Baltimore this last weekend. However, when they arrived at the home of one of the staff members they were surprised to find that the member had removed all the hard drives from his computer and they now lay in pieces in a garbage bag. Frustrated officers then began to yell at that staff member and accused him of destroying evidence. When the staff member met their response with silence they decided to take him into custody. Family members looked on in shock as they tasered this individual repeatedly despite him not fighting back. Suddenly, the staff member began to convulse on the floor. Doctors would later say that the individual had suffered an epileptic seizure, possibly resulting from the repeated tasering. Officers claim they then mistook these convulsions for an attempt at escape and one of the officers fired his firearm, injuring the individual. The injured staff member, in handcuffs, was later transported to a local hospital where he is now in critical condition in the ICU. The member's identity is not being revealed, on the request of his family. The staff member's lawyer has already been contacted regarding this incident. More details are sure to follow, and we will attempt to keep this story updated as details are forthcoming.
Dattebayo 7/27/07
Update: July 27, 2007 - This morning at 02:43, Dattebayo staff member ImpSyn, also known as David Pryor, age 29, was pronounced dead. His death comes following a gunshot injury inflicted by a state police officer during the execution of a search and seizure warrant on his home yesterday afternoon. David owned and operated a small website design company out of his home. He leaves a wife and two children, ages 5 and 3 respectively. ImpSyn recently joined our staff when we were recruiting for an opening in the finish editor position. Despite only having worked on a few episodes of our popular releases, he was eager to meet us and join in on the panel at Otakon this year. His family initially requested that his identity not be given on this website, however in light of recent events they have reversed that decision. Currently his funeral arrangements are in planning. David's lawyer has been updated regarding this issue and has assured us that appropriate legal action will be taken, however at this time additional details cannot be released.
Dattebayo 8/6/07
attebayo Staff NOT Arrested at Otakon [YOU HAVE BEEN TROLLED]
2007/07/22
Attention people of the internet, you have been trolled!
So well in fact, you caused news organizations and corporations to be fooled into thinking it was true.
Well it wasn't, it was a big joke. Some of you got it from the beginning, as the text YHBT clearly appeared at the bottom of the page, and some of you are still fooled to this day.
There were so many clues that this was a troll from start to finish and yet it fooled a lot of people, and caused trouble for some. If it caused you trouble directly, you are an idiot for not getting it. If it caused you trouble by other people causing you trouble, we apologize, our intention is only to trick OUR fans, and not to cause trouble for other persons or organizations. Think carefully about the places you get your news, especially when it's us.
No arrests of DB staff took place at Otakon and none have ever taken place. No one was injured or died as a result. No police were involved. If something like that was to actually happen, you would not hear about it on the DB website. You would not hear about it at all.
We wish to also personally apologize to Otakorp, the parent company of Otakon, who suffered unduly due to our false press release.
YHBT
2007/07/22
Attention people of the internet, you have been trolled!
So well in fact, you caused news organizations and corporations to be fooled into thinking it was true.
Well it wasn't, it was a big joke. Some of you got it from the beginning, as the text YHBT clearly appeared at the bottom of the page, and some of you are still fooled to this day.
There were so many clues that this was a troll from start to finish and yet it fooled a lot of people, and caused trouble for some. If it caused you trouble directly, you are an idiot for not getting it. If it caused you trouble by other people causing you trouble, we apologize, our intention is only to trick OUR fans, and not to cause trouble for other persons or organizations. Think carefully about the places you get your news, especially when it's us.
No arrests of DB staff took place at Otakon and none have ever taken place. No one was injured or died as a result. No police were involved. If something like that was to actually happen, you would not hear about it on the DB website. You would not hear about it at all.
We wish to also personally apologize to Otakorp, the parent company of Otakon, who suffered unduly due to our false press release.
YHBT
Because of the fansubbing, five members of Dattebayo were arrested to keep things short for those who don't bother reading this whole thing. Because of them continually fansubbing our licensed anime that teh fans enjoy, they got arrested.
Sure, they did break copywrite laws, and people who do break the laws go into jail right?
For those who are not aware, fansubbing is infact illegal in both the United States and Japan*. Fansubbers take the anime from their television, edit it, and then post it on the internet for free. The anime company (i.e. Media Factory, Gainax, 4kids, etc) that licensed the anime in order to get money are, as they see it, losing money to these free versions people can easily watch over one's computer screen.
But some good has come out of fansubbing as well. Some animes English licensors thought about picking up, they didn't because they didn't think it would be successful. Well, they were wrong. Animes such as 'School Rumble' and 'Azumanga Daioh,' they thought they had no chance in America. On the contrary, they became some of the most popular on the internet, making the move that fansubbers has helped promote these animes as well.
So what is your opinion about these fansubbers we grew to love going to jail? Sure, they brought us hours, no days of entertainment, but alas, they did break the law. Did they deserveto go to jail? Should they be let out without any charges? Will Dattebayo cease to exist? I will be keeping everyone up to date on what's happening on this situation. Hopefully, nothing too bad will come out of this. All I have to say is this:
Dattebayo? Sadly, you have to believe it.
YHBT! Sucks don't it?
*-Can someone get back to me whether or not fansubbing breaks Japanese fansubbing laws? Thank you in advance ninja
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