If i was Toho when i see someone selling Godzilla art and Merch online without ever gaining the license, I wouldn't just straight away take it down i would just send an email and ask them if we can use their artwork to sell it on the official website. That way the Artist gets paid and Toho gets the money as well. I want to work with people who are passionate with the IP, Sure Toho own the rights to Godzilla but if you give it to a fan then they can do something amazing and awesome with it. I know Toho is strict and all but i just wish they understand that fans are sometimes the better people than the company itself when it comes to creativity and art.
Excellent video. I was very worried about many of my friends who are artists. In fact, many of us in other outlets (writers, etc) were incredibly worried.
Thanks for watching Donny! I was happy to share this news, and it actually being kind of good news within context to the situation. They definitely sent a message, even if it wasn't their intent because this law firm was doing it for TOHO. But hopefully we can all learn and move forward from here. Also, THANK YOU! I swore I was already subscribed to you as I've watched a lot of your "Growing Up With Godzilla" series! Now you also have achieved a new subscriber!
I don’t think people understand that fan art often helps fuel the fandom. Especially with sleepy times franchises have where there is no media coming out… or just hyping up current releases! I get companies protecting their brand, but attacking small artists isn’t it. Hot take. Godzilla discourse with the whole GxK makes me laugh. Literally the same people crying about ‘fan toxicity’ have been said same toxic fans for years, it’s just happening with something they like now… I sure you see where I’m going with this *cough cough* being harassed by Godzilla Fanbros for liking G98 *cough* ;) ;) ;)
Yeah, companies could learn or thing or two from each other and loosen their tight grip on the IPs. Definitely have standards and rules, but make it equal for everyone. And I totally agree with you and your hot take. I share this hot take as well.
Toho (always) owned Godzilla / the character. It’s a fact. No discussion is needed. Distribution rights don’t mean they own the character. Same with the G-license. You can use it, but you don’t own it.
Did someone say TOHO didn’t own the license at some point? Not sure I’ve seen that being said at all anywhere. And correct about distribution and ownership, I speak on this in the video.
I was planning on making Claymation videos for my UA-cam channel, some featuring Godzilla and other Toho kaiju, hearing about this situation made me kind of nervous about making and posting those videos (even though I had no plans of profiting from them). It also had me worried for other channels who make fan made Godzilla videos.
You made a fantastical job explainig the situation with the fan artist in the Godzilla fandom, honestly, for the artist this are dark times with the ia uprising and darker times are coming for sure, but in all this years being a godzilla fan alone (cause in spain there is no really godzilla movement since is an "old franchise about shitty/laughable movies of a big dinosaur" around here) and more active now in places like twitter or reddit, I've never seen people more involved, positive and creative about my favourite thing in my life like the artists in all their forms: making drawings, doing stop motion or animation videos, and so on. For that I'm so thankful, cause, like you said, you are the energy that gives this train a boost, and I think the people needs to give you more credit for that tbh. Take care, stay safe and best of luck in this situations.
I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! As long as we stick together, this community can grow into something amazing. It already has so many pockets of greatness. I hope you find more people in your country to celebrate your love for Godzilla! With all these new movies, that is bound to happen. 😊
But that law firm was using the companies name without their knowledge at first so think about it it all goes back to that law firm. Toho even dropped it yes the can reopen it but i doubt it
@@thesheriff5091 It's mainly a cultural difference. I lived and worked in Japan for 15 years. People can't sell fan art of licensed characters at events, etc. It's just not done there. If you are trying to make money off of something you don't own, they will come after you.
This is the same thing happened to other kaiju games in roblox that involves godzilla and the other monsters the kaiju universe being shut down kinda make sense and also karma because the devs were literally bunch of @ holes and also spoiled child as well they trying so hard to not get exposed all they do is copyright and shut people's mouth
Kaiju universe is kinda a game made by sweats and no lifers because the devs made the requirements a mess like play 3 hours to get a Kaiju and level up the Kaiju to 100 to get the new Kaiju and they don't even care about teamers like people like me have been suffering killing this idiots
Yea man they have went WILD on putting ANY G fan thing down and OUT! some BS for fan games and whatnot. its some total BS The G franchise wouldnt be NOTHING what it is now without fans and their work. Double Period! GREED
L TOHO they may make my favorite character but shame on you TOHO copyright striking games is one thing but suing people for doing fan art is just so scummy
The game thing is an interesting situation, I wish I had more information to share on that. It all depends on if anyone is making money really, and I don't know how it works with the games. It makes sense why they are doing it as I explain in the video, but it doesn't mean we have to like it.
@@MikesMonstersHello! I'm actually a dev for a Godzilla fan game on Roblox. I don't really know much outside of Roblox but I know a decent amount about the whole situation on Roblox. A Bunch of Roblox Godzilla fan games were taken down by Toho for using their ip/brand, it is pretty straight forwad. In the Roblox case most of these games were making a profit so that the owners of these games could pay the developers for their work/effort put into the fan games. I can't really speak for the other fan games but I speak from what I've seen and experienced. In the end Toho was completely in their rights to take down these Roblox fan games even if it is a shame
@@phoenixfinch4653 that’s what I assumed was going on, and it makes a total sense. It seems like it’s almost exactly the same as the fan art situation, yet there’s an actual large profit being made and that’s the issue here. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment here!!!
@@MikesMonstersyeah, but also to add on my last comment real quick. 2 of the larger fan games on Roblox had reached out to Toho a few years back to ask if what they were doing was okay and the response they got back was basically "you don't effect our profits enough to care" Over time things change though I guess
@@phoenixfinch4653 yeah, leadership and management changes have likely happened since then. The business who owns the IP can always change their mind. It totally sucks, but it all makes sense.
@@Jackie_Fhan they are suing fan artists again? Or are they striking people who are uploading clips and the movie online? Because that is definitely not allowed and never has been. That's a much different situation than fan artists being threatened with a lawsuit.
@@MikesMonsters lawsuit, and major brands are part of it too. Toy stores and manufacturers. It is very odd, it lists teepublic accont names, brands but no people specifically
@@Jackie_Fhan the toy manufactures making the bootlegs likely will definitely get in trouble. And TeePublic was the issue before too. That's why I made this video initially, to warn all those people who use and upload artwork to those sites. They dropped the lawsuit though, ant it turned out it wasn't coming from Toho directly. So maybe this is a bad actor again, like the one from Chicago last time. This is the first I've heard of another round of strikes happening.
its not grey. you dont own it. you dont have a right to sell the images unless the work done can be defended as fair use. toho has every right to go to the artist, not the middleman platform. none ofd this is new. Lucas, Disney, Paramount etc have gone after others profiting from their IP for decades now online. ignorance is no defense. PS. here's the secret. create ones own IP and copyright trademark or patent it.
If i was Toho when i see someone selling Godzilla art and Merch online without ever gaining the license, I wouldn't just straight away take it down i would just send an email and ask them if we can use their artwork to sell it on the official website. That way the Artist gets paid and Toho gets the money as well. I want to work with people who are passionate with the IP, Sure Toho own the rights to Godzilla but if you give it to a fan then they can do something amazing and awesome with it. I know Toho is strict and all but i just wish they understand that fans are sometimes the better people than the company itself when it comes to creativity and art.
If only the world worked that way. Would be great if that was the way we all did things!
TOHO is going on a copyright rampage rn first Roblox now fan artists you poked the Godzilla now it wakes up who knows what TOHO will do next.
There is a comment above explaining the Roblox situation. TOHO is allowed to do it if anyone is making money, even if we don't like it.
Excellent video. I was very worried about many of my friends who are artists. In fact, many of us in other outlets (writers, etc) were incredibly worried.
Thanks for watching Donny! I was happy to share this news, and it actually being kind of good news within context to the situation. They definitely sent a message, even if it wasn't their intent because this law firm was doing it for TOHO. But hopefully we can all learn and move forward from here.
Also, THANK YOU! I swore I was already subscribed to you as I've watched a lot of your "Growing Up With Godzilla" series! Now you also have achieved a new subscriber!
I don’t think people understand that fan art often helps fuel the fandom. Especially with sleepy times franchises have where there is no media coming out… or just hyping up current releases! I get companies protecting their brand, but attacking small artists isn’t it.
Hot take. Godzilla discourse with the whole GxK makes me laugh. Literally the same people crying about ‘fan toxicity’ have been said same toxic fans for years, it’s just happening with something they like now… I sure you see where I’m going with this *cough cough* being harassed by Godzilla Fanbros for liking G98 *cough* ;) ;) ;)
Yeah, companies could learn or thing or two from each other and loosen their tight grip on the IPs. Definitely have standards and rules, but make it equal for everyone.
And I totally agree with you and your hot take. I share this hot take as well.
Toho has every right but its not within the moral compass to do so
Yep! That's why it's so tough.
Thank you for clarifying, cuz I was scared for the non-profit Godzilla art I do, especially my little fan comic.
Happy to share the news! You should be totally fine as long as you don't plan on selling any of it.
We can’t have ever have anything good around here cause toho get mad I get why but they starting to do too much
It's certainly a tough situation.
TOHO staring at you from the distance like skull crawlers
They're ready to getcha.
@@MikesMonsters spooky
There needs to be an investigation into this law firm and the courts in Illinois
Completely agreed!!!
Mike: Here's why I had to stay vague about the situation.
KaijuCanuck: YO DOG HERE'S THE PAPERWORK
Thanks for the love, Mike!
You gave me the strength to push through and make this one myself, haha!
You’ve always got my support, sir! 🫡
Toho (always) owned Godzilla / the character. It’s a fact. No discussion is needed. Distribution rights don’t mean they own the character. Same with the G-license. You can use it, but you don’t own it.
Did someone say TOHO didn’t own the license at some point? Not sure I’ve seen that being said at all anywhere.
And correct about distribution and ownership, I speak on this in the video.
@MikesMonsters I'm talking about the American-made Godzilla films. "Based on the character "Godzilla" owned and created by Toho Co. Ltd.
@@MikesMonsters OK?
@@IanDanielCassidy ah, I see what you’re saying now. Thanks for clarifying!
@@MikesMonsters you're welcome
I was planning on making Claymation videos for my UA-cam channel, some featuring Godzilla and other Toho kaiju, hearing about this situation made me kind of nervous about making and posting those videos (even though I had no plans of profiting from them). It also had me worried for other channels who make fan made Godzilla videos.
As long as you are not selling the stuff, you are okay! They won't hit you for making those creations. Just don't try to sell it, and you'll be good!
@@MikesMonsters That's good to hear.
You made a fantastical job explainig the situation with the fan artist in the Godzilla fandom, honestly, for the artist this are dark times with the ia uprising and darker times are coming for sure, but in all this years being a godzilla fan alone (cause in spain there is no really godzilla movement since is an "old franchise about shitty/laughable movies of a big dinosaur" around here) and more active now in places like twitter or reddit, I've never seen people more involved, positive and creative about my favourite thing in my life like the artists in all their forms: making drawings, doing stop motion or animation videos, and so on. For that I'm so thankful, cause, like you said, you are the energy that gives this train a boost, and I think the people needs to give you more credit for that tbh. Take care, stay safe and best of luck in this situations.
I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! As long as we stick together, this community can grow into something amazing. It already has so many pockets of greatness. I hope you find more people in your country to celebrate your love for Godzilla! With all these new movies, that is bound to happen. 😊
I was in the middle of doing a Godzilla piece, until I heard about this. And i wasn't doing it to sell it, but to get a commission sheet going
As long as you don’t sell it, you should be fine! But totally set up that commission sheet. 👍🏻
Japanese companies don't F around with IP theft. It's always been like that.
But that law firm was using the companies name without their knowledge at first so think about it it all goes back to that law firm. Toho even dropped it yes the can reopen it but i doubt it
@@thesheriff5091 It's mainly a cultural difference. I lived and worked in Japan for 15 years. People can't sell fan art of licensed characters at events, etc. It's just not done there. If you are trying to make money off of something you don't own, they will come after you.
Correct. I meant to talk specifically about Japanese Fair Use laws, but completely forgot to get to that point.
@@thesheriff5091 its back
This is the same thing happened to other kaiju games in roblox that involves godzilla and the other monsters the kaiju universe being shut down kinda make sense and also karma because the devs were literally bunch of @ holes and also spoiled child as well they trying so hard to not get exposed all they do is copyright and shut people's mouth
Kaiju universe is kinda a game made by sweats and no lifers because the devs made the requirements a mess like play 3 hours to get a Kaiju and level up the Kaiju to 100 to get the new Kaiju and they don't even care about teamers like people like me have been suffering killing this idiots
Great Video man!
Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate you taking the time!!
Also: new subscriber achieved!
Well, Jan 1st 2032 can’t come soon enough! 8 years to go before Godzilla enters public domain! Hope Toho doesn’t pull any shady stunt!
Thank Godzilla Doctor Skipper predicted that moment in time for us. Even though it's already public domain!!!
Yea man they have went WILD on putting ANY G fan thing down and OUT! some BS for fan games and whatnot. its some total BS The G franchise wouldnt be NOTHING what it is now without fans and their work. Double Period! GREED
It's a new era, that's for sure.
L TOHO they may make my favorite character but shame on you TOHO copyright striking games is one thing but suing people for doing fan art is just so scummy
The game thing is an interesting situation, I wish I had more information to share on that. It all depends on if anyone is making money really, and I don't know how it works with the games. It makes sense why they are doing it as I explain in the video, but it doesn't mean we have to like it.
@@MikesMonstersHello! I'm actually a dev for a Godzilla fan game on Roblox. I don't really know much outside of Roblox but I know a decent amount about the whole situation on Roblox. A Bunch of Roblox Godzilla fan games were taken down by Toho for using their ip/brand, it is pretty straight forwad. In the Roblox case most of these games were making a profit so that the owners of these games could pay the developers for their work/effort put into the fan games. I can't really speak for the other fan games but I speak from what I've seen and experienced. In the end Toho was completely in their rights to take down these Roblox fan games even if it is a shame
@@phoenixfinch4653 that’s what I assumed was going on, and it makes a total sense. It seems like it’s almost exactly the same as the fan art situation, yet there’s an actual large profit being made and that’s the issue here. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment here!!!
@@MikesMonstersyeah, but also to add on my last comment real quick. 2 of the larger fan games on Roblox had reached out to Toho a few years back to ask if what they were doing was okay and the response they got back was basically "you don't effect our profits enough to care" Over time things change though I guess
@@phoenixfinch4653 yeah, leadership and management changes have likely happened since then. The business who owns the IP can always change their mind. It totally sucks, but it all makes sense.
law suit is back?
Not that I’ve heard of?
@@MikesMonsters it is. No idea if its the same people but they did it same day as the movies physical release
@@Jackie_Fhan they are suing fan artists again? Or are they striking people who are uploading clips and the movie online? Because that is definitely not allowed and never has been. That's a much different situation than fan artists being threatened with a lawsuit.
@@MikesMonsters lawsuit, and major brands are part of it too. Toy stores and manufacturers. It is very odd, it lists teepublic accont names, brands but no people specifically
@@Jackie_Fhan the toy manufactures making the bootlegs likely will definitely get in trouble. And TeePublic was the issue before too. That's why I made this video initially, to warn all those people who use and upload artwork to those sites. They dropped the lawsuit though, ant it turned out it wasn't coming from Toho directly. So maybe this is a bad actor again, like the one from Chicago last time. This is the first I've heard of another round of strikes happening.
And subscribed.
Thank you so much! Happy to have you here!
its not grey. you dont own it. you dont have a right to sell the images unless the work done can be defended as fair use. toho has every right to go to the artist, not the middleman platform. none ofd this is new. Lucas, Disney, Paramount etc have gone after others profiting from their IP for decades now online. ignorance is no defense. PS. here's the secret. create ones own IP and copyright trademark or patent it.
Indeed but their attacking people people who have no money once so ever and oh hey lets sue them for $2 million and ruin there lives
Plus the law firm itself is doing some sketchy stuff and toho has adressed them as of now
Tooooo bad
🤷
Thanks for talking about this, I feel it’s VERY important to the community. New subscriber by the way and also follow you on Instagram.😁
Thank you for taking the time to watch! I'm glad you felt the message resonated with you. I really appreciate the follow in both places!!! THANK YOU!