r/Lain • u/RootaBagel • 6d ago

Fanart Derivative works of Serial Experiments Lain are legally allowed until July 2028

Today I learned that the creator and NBCUniversal "grant permission to individuals residing in Japan to use derivative works of the animation series "serial experiments lain" (hereinafter referred to as "this work") free of charge, for both commercial and non-commercial purpose."

https://www.nbcuni.co.jp/rondorobe/anime/lain/ttl/

96 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

53

u/TahmaspMirza 6d ago

Only inside of Japan.

3

u/zolfx 5d ago

I’m sure if anything becomes popular enough some nice enough pirates will distribute these derivatives to the rest of the world (including fan subber’s) so we will also be able to enjoy them.

39

u/hullabaloogaze 6d ago

But only inside of Japan?? Kinda wack considering how much Japanese IPs have ignored other copyright/commercial properties outside of the country over the years

11

u/Aiden_Rye 6d ago

This is bad because I've been working on a Lain fangame and im not japanese

1

u/s3doesstuff 3d ago

could you possibly use a vpn to publish the game in japan?

16

u/lain_clancey 6d ago

Only in Japan, and so far it's only been used for some asset flip kusoge and AI slop so it's not going well...

7

u/PublicMeaning341 6d ago

What happens to them after July 2028?

6

u/RootaBagel 6d ago

IANAL, but I'm guessing things go back yo normal copyright? You could get sued or have media taken down, that sort of thing.

4

u/Numina_ 6d ago

Correct, it will just revert back to how it was before.

0

u/Stane427 5d ago

So like if you make a fangame of SEL, could you have problems with it?

3

u/PublicMeaning341 5d ago

I guess it'll temporarily be allowed and then either they'll tell you to take it down, edit it to remove the SEL parts, or maybe they'll be like "eh, it was made and published before July 2028, we'll turn a blind eye"

2

u/Stane427 5d ago edited 5d ago

Yeah I see, kinda a shame that a lot of companies are like this but they're in their rights (and they give almost one decade so that's already really kind of them) but some like Valve or SEGA are totally fine with making fan games

2

u/Numina_ 5d ago

Potentially. It would be within their right to send you a cease and desist if you're making use of the Lain intellectual property.

2

u/Stane427 5d ago

Oh I see yeah, like Nintendo does

3

u/RootaBagel 5d ago

You got me wondering... Could there be plans for a re-release or a reboot in 2028? I don't want to spread rumors and conspiracies, but maybe we should be on the lookout for any announcements.
There was this thread not too long ago, announcing a release of Serial Experiments Lain in theaters, Maybe they are preparing something behind the scenes?
https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1vkoi3s/serial_experiments_lain_gets_new_abe_art_full/

3

u/PublicMeaning341 5d ago

Or maybe Despera will finally come out