Major Anime Piracy Site Falls to the Power of Japanese Government.

The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), a Japanese anti-piracy agency, announced on March 4, 2024, the successful prosecution of the operators behind the Chinese anime piracy website B9GOOD. The site, which offered unauthorized access to over 45,880 anime titles, was a popular destination for anime viewers, particularly in Japan, where it garnered over 300 million visits in its lifespan.

The main operator, identified as "A" was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for 3.5 years, and fined 1.8 million yuan (US$250,000). This amount roughly equals the revenue generated by advertising on the website. Additionally, his residence, reportedly purchased with funds obtained from the site, was seized by authorities. "A" had been convicted in December 2023, and with the appeals window now closed, his sentence is finalized.

The case against B9GOOD marks the first instance where Japanese efforts have resulted in the prosecution of an overseas anime piracy site operator. CODA initiated the investigation in 2021, identifying the operators and collaborating with the CODA Beijing office to file criminal charges in China.

Several CODA member companies, including Shueisha and Kodansha, are involved in ongoing investigations to assess the full extent of the damages caused by B9GOOD. These companies are also collaborating with authorities regarding the recent arrests of individuals suspected of leaking manga from Weekly Shonen Jump.

The successful prosecution of B9GOOD and the ongoing investigations highlight the continued efforts to combat online piracy and protect intellectual property rights within the anime and manga industry. This case sets a precedent for future international collaborations in addressing copyright infringement within the digital sphere.

- Peak Fiction