Copyright infringement has long been a thorn in the entertainment industry, especially manga. Despite advances in technology that have made legal publishing more accessible, piracy remains a serious problem. A recent report revealed that manga piracy will cost the industry $2.4 billion by 2023.
The Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs highlighted this worrying figure at a meeting focusing on anti-piracy efforts with ABJ.
They noted a rapid increase in pirated manga sites, with new sites appearing at an alarming rate, especially in the past six months. The top ten piracy websites in Japan alone have a combined total of over 100 million monthly visits.
The agency expressed the urgency of implementing strong anti-piracy measures together with industry stakeholders. They highlight the growing toxic trend and emphasize the need for continuous efforts to combat piracy.
Despite publishers' efforts, such as lawsuits and takedown requests by the DCMA as well as the global launch of simulcasting publishing applications, copyright infringement continues to impact impacting both the manga industry and its readers.
This huge financial blow affects not only industry leaders but also editorial teams and readers. Publishers like Shueisha and Kodansha have been at the forefront of the fight against piracy, but the latest data highlights that piracy remains a formidable challenge for manga.