Japanese fans recently pointed out similarities between Rin Yoshii's manga Switch and photographs from the November 06 issue of the fashion magazine Sweet. This week the editorial department of Cookie (the magazine Switch is serialized in) sent out a letter confirming the plagiarism. As a result Switch will be dropped from Cookie, Rin Yoshii's two other series, Kurabeyou mo Nai Hodo ni (So Incomparable) and silent summer snow, will also be temporarily suspended to be checked for possible plagiarized content.
The images in question appeared in 2007 Issue 1 of Shueisha's Cookie magazine, some comparison can be seen here:
[ Original Image ] [ Switch Image ]
[ Comparison 1 ] [ Comparison 2 ] [ Comparison 3 ] [ Comparison 4 ]
The apology letter from the Cookie Editorial Department:
Notice of Apology and Publication Suspension
Thank you for your devoted readership of Cookie.
It has been confirmed that the opening and the announcement page illustrations of Switch (Author: Yoshii Rin), which was serialized in Cookie Issue 1 (released on November 25 2006) was reproduced from the gravure photo of a fashion magazine. As this is a clear act of plagiarism, all those involved sincerely apologize. With apologies to all of our readers who have been enjoying reading the series, after reflection, Switch will cease publication as of Issue 4.
In addition, regarding Yoshii's other two series, Kurabeyou mo Nai Hodo ni and silent summer snow, we will cease publication until we can confirm that there are no further instances of plagiarism. Once again, we apologize for betraying the trust of our devoted readers. From now on, we vow to strive to produce works with a sincere attitude, and make an effort to deepen our authors' and editorial department's awareness of copyright so that we can win back your trust.
Please continue to give your support to Cookie and Cookie's comics.
January 30, 2007
Cookie Editorial Department
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ComiPress teams up with writer Udagawa Takeo and translator John Gallagher to publish an online version of the English-language translation of Manga Zombie.
I wonder how this applies to
I wonder how this applies to parodies. Pani Poni Dash is well known for including references to a multitude of other works. Using the Cookie criteria for plagiarism, every DVD cover of PPD would be guilty of infringement.
They're different
Manga that reference other works (Hayate the Combat Butler comes to mind) are different. In this case, the image was "copied" from another work, in the sense that you take someone else's work, modify it a bit, then call it your own. In the case of "referencing," you make it clear that you're making a parody of someone else's work, and you're not actually claiming their work as your own.
That's not a copyright breach.
I don't see how this is covered by the term Plagiarism. This isn't a reproduction, or an attempt to pass off a photo as one's own, it's a drawing of a photograph. It is removed from its original contect and place within a work of art. This is no different from most of Roy Lichtenstein's paintings. It's got to be covered by parody and fair use, and if the cover character is actually given a character within a story, it isn't the personality of the model from the magazine it is a fantasy character. Granted, the cartoonist could have changed one or two items of clothing, even if it was just a slogan or the colour, but removing Yoshii Rin's work seems harsh.
This is surely fair use, and is even necessary to ensure an up-to-date depiction of 'real' characters. I think it must come under the same umbrella as a caricature of a politician or a movie star, or a sports star, or even a super model.
I agree.
I don't really see it as plagiarism either. Although the design of the shirt and hat could have been altered, it really does not strike me as being something so controversial as to completely stop the serialization of the manga series.
i agree to say that not copyright
totally agree. i think she just think the fashion were cool so she want to use it. you know like 'oh, this is nice. i should buy exactly like that.'
what's wrong with that? you can't buy the clothe exactly like the model use?
When it comes to copying a
When it comes to copying a photograph, if you didn't take the photo yourself, or if you don't have permission, then it is plagiarism.
Reminds me of the news when
Reminds me of the news when Takehiko Inoue was "accused" of "copying" NBA photos for his Slam Dunk manga...
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