On August 2nd, the 3DCG animated film “The Dragon Quest Your Story” was adapted from the classic role-playing game “The Bride of the Dragon Quest V Sky”
On the same day, the author of the official novel “Dragon Quest V”, Kumi Saori, announced on Twitter that she had already produced the original protagonist’s name “琉加” in the novel without permission. The committee filed an appeal
Kumi is one of the representatives of the girl novels in the 1980s. Her style is delicate and beautiful, and she values the inner shape of the character. She has not only been a smash hit in the novel world, but also a member of the Japanese Association of Reasoning Writers and the Japanese Science Fiction Club. When she was in full swing, she once sold her own lyrics and vocal works concept albums. As a seiyuu, the radio drama CD, which was adapted from the works, showed many talents
久美纱织’s representative work “丘の家のミッキー》, has launched a concept album of the whole song by his own lyrics, composition, singing
However, the most well-known achievement of Kumi is probably the official novel version of the Dragon Quest series IV~VI. The three games, collectively referred to as the “Sky Trilogy”, are very touching and have been regarded by fans as the highest level of the series. After being adapted into a novel, Jiumei’s excellent penpower adds flavor and color to the world of the game. With the popularity of the national game and the easy-to-read and beautiful writing, these three novels are not only the living enlightenment of a generation of young girls, but also become an opportunity for many people to fall in love with reading and writing
The original “Dragon Quest” series of games has always adhered to the principle of “the player becomes the protagonist to experience the game world” and does not set the name of the protagonist. After entering the game, the player is free to name the protagonist. In the novel version of “Dragon Quest V”, Jiu Mei was named “Geng Jia”, and the original name was “琉凯洛姆埃尔 Kyle Granbania”
The newly released movie version of the protagonist, whose name is “Genga El Kyle Granbania”, is obviously influenced by the novel version
However, after adopting this name, the film did not inform Kumi. Kumi was informed of the news through a TV news program. But at the beginning, she did not think of defending her rights, but she was honored to be officially recognized for her name. She contacted the original game copyright owner Square Enix, hoping that the official allowed her to promote the “Dragon Quest” movie at the event she attended, and also hoped that the film could help promote the original official novel she wrote
However, Square Enix replied in a cold voice, using “Dragon Quest” to attract traffic to the commercial use of the event, so she was forbidden to mention the work in the event. The movie version intends to publish official novels at other publishers, so it will not mention her novel version
My own goodwill proposal, but received such a blunt reply, which makes Jimei feel chilling
In fact, before this, the “CD Theater Dragon Quest” series radio CD released in the 1990s has used a lot of original settings and plots of the novel version; later, when the game launched the remake, it also introduced the novel. Original content. No matter whether it is a radio drama CD or a remastered version, there is no connection with Jiumei, and there is no place in the credits to give Jimei a place
Kumi knows that her settings and ideas are not necessarily protected by copyright, and she does not intend to hold Square Enix responsible for using her ideas in her past work. However, in the past, there have been instances in which unauthorized use of non-authorized works was illegal by the court. What’s more, even if you don’t have copyright for these things, you don’t have to pay royalties to her. At the time of application, at least let her know that it is the minimum etiquette of the creator
Kumi pointed out that in the cooperation between the company and the creator, the relationship between the two parties is not equal. Square Enix can not tell her to weigh the second use of her work; but once she is against Square Enix, it is not difficult to predict that Square Enix will hide her novel “Dragon Quest”
Under the mediation of game producer Ryotaro Ryogo, Kumi got in touch with Square Enix and the film production committee, but did not get the answer that satisfied her. In desperation, Kumami had to sue the production committee to the court. She does not want to pay for financial compensation, nor does it require the film to stop being released. I just hope that the production committee will apologize for the unauthorized use of the name “琉加” and let his name appear in the film credits in the form of “provided”
(https://yahoo.jp/box/gAtAMI)
The author of the classic games and novels in memory is in court, which surprised many players and readers. In particular, until the film was released, Kumi also actively forwarded the movie-related content on Twitter for its promotion, and did not see the way behind the dispute with the copyright party
Book critics Taniguchi Ryuichi said that Kyumei Saori is really hoping for a successful film, and even attended the “DQM: The eve of the release! The movie “The Story of the Dragon Quest” is on the eve of the Japanese Science Fiction Conference. Visitors issue flyers. In his view, Kumi’s appeal was to fulfill the creator’s responsibility
(https://twitter.com/uranichi/status/1157273749546078208).
Many creators are exceptionally able to understand the long-term mood and stand on her side
Network novelist Fei Qianwen said that it may be difficult for the average consumer to understand the problem. For the creator, the work that he participated in the production cannot appear in the credits, which is a strong insult. Animators can work in harsh environments because their names appear in the credits for just a few seconds
Even if she only provides the name of a character, in the author’s opinion, it is natural to mention her, and it is very normal to log out her name. This is not a question of money, but a question of feelings and dignity. Moreover, this is not her own problem, but the problems of many creators later
(https://twitter.com/HizenHumitoshi/status/1157518480784027648).
Illustrator 47AgDragon explained that the question of the signature of a movie is like the problem of turning a company’s performance into a different company. For individual business owners, the name in the credits is their own performance property, so this is not a matter of money, but a major issue of reputation. Because I have clearly participated in it, it has become a black history, and it has been officially obliterated. Even if it is listed as its past performance, it may not be believed by others
(https://twitter.com/47AgD/status/1157524716548059136).
And in the light novel writer Yuichiro, this time, it is because of the well-known writer such as Kumi, and the national series such as “Dragon Quest”, it is particularly meaningful. As an individual novelist, you will often be scorned; even if you protest, you will be fooled by the phrase “you know something.”
(https://twitter.com/ichiro_sakaki/status/1157535990476492800).
The issue of authorship is so important to creators, but it is easily scorned by the corporate side
The writer God Wuyue Jiuyin said that such problems are often caused by the reason that the infringing party “had not wanted to contact, trouble, forget” and then evolved into “the matter is now It’s too much trouble to solve it, and I don’t want to do it, so it’s especially uncomfortable. In short, this is a question of sincerity
(https://twitter.com/k_hisane/status/1157547427634614272).
The same person researcher Sansaki is a bystander, this trouble, the ins and outs may be like this:
- Because of the re-animation, re-media adaptation, etc., the previous works have once again received attention
- However, the person in charge at the time was no longer on the scene (and may not be in the company)
- The creator remembers the things at the time and is proud of it
- It was a cold reception
- Causes an accident
Recently, this kind of problem seems to be a bit too much
(https://twitter.com/nmisaki/status/1157212799719706624).
The book editor Nakazawa Ichiro also believes that although it is only his opinion, he feels that the contradiction between Kumi Saori and the “Dragon Quest” movie, and the previous “I don’t laugh” The problem is the same, probably because there are no senior editors and responsible persons to mediate from it, and the process at that time was neglected. Senior editors are assets
(https://twitter.com/nakatsu_s/status/1157214086888771584).
Although the situation of Kumi is sympathetic, but it is really in the court, does she really have a chance of winning?
Familiar lawyer Fukui said that although he did not know the details, he did not read the original contract signed by the two parties, but even “琉凯洛姆埃尔凯尔格兰巴尼亚” Full name, length and content are also difficult to constitute copyright infringement. In this way, it is also difficult to use the author’s personality right in law
However, Kumi does not require the suspension of public films or financial compensation. In the lawsuit, it only focuses on issues such as attribution and respect. In this way, the lawsuit can be said to be the so-called “proposal argument, social cognitive type of copyright lawsuit.” Perhaps it can be said that as long as the appeal is filed and made public, the purpose of Jiumei has already reached half
(https://twitter.com/fukuikensaku/status/1157502128128053248)