There were some very insightful and professional contributions by fellow forumers on the threads on the Odex saga. Instead of dying down, it seemed to have taken a life of its own. I'm desperately in need of enlightenment of several issues which I still find hazy.
After Odex had gotten the information from the ISP, it started to send letters to the people who are in their list. Many of which are dependents. I also read a letter to Straits Times forum they are actually charging 10 percent interest for those who needed to pay by installments. (Just as a sidetrack, the face of Odex actually posted on internet forums gloating at the predicament of these people, which he admitted)
Odex declared the following:
"Whether or not and to whom an anime title is licensed for sale in Singapore does not change the fact that they all enjoy copyright protection under Singapore law. Odex was appointed to conduct the present enforcement drive because it is the largest distributor of anime in the region, and it has conducted successful enforcement actions in the past in relation to the sale of pirated anime VCDs and DVDs."
So does it mean that they could seek any amount of out-of-court settlement for affected parties, and not having to account for the amount they collected? As far as I understand, Odex is not the sole licensee of many titles. Plus, their stance indicate that they are sending a blanket warning letter to people who may or may not have violated their rights.
It reeks very strongly of intimidation of the ignorant.
Are they really at the right side of the law? I know the law is meant to protect the rights of even businesses. But in this case, Odex is claiming to play the role of policing, which it had appointed itself, plus making money from it?
Sorry for starting to be incoherent. But please, shed some light.
After Odex had gotten the information from the ISP, it started to send letters to the people who are in their list. Many of which are dependents. I also read a letter to Straits Times forum they are actually charging 10 percent interest for those who needed to pay by installments. (Just as a sidetrack, the face of Odex actually posted on internet forums gloating at the predicament of these people, which he admitted)
Odex declared the following:
"Whether or not and to whom an anime title is licensed for sale in Singapore does not change the fact that they all enjoy copyright protection under Singapore law. Odex was appointed to conduct the present enforcement drive because it is the largest distributor of anime in the region, and it has conducted successful enforcement actions in the past in relation to the sale of pirated anime VCDs and DVDs."
So does it mean that they could seek any amount of out-of-court settlement for affected parties, and not having to account for the amount they collected? As far as I understand, Odex is not the sole licensee of many titles. Plus, their stance indicate that they are sending a blanket warning letter to people who may or may not have violated their rights.
It reeks very strongly of intimidation of the ignorant.
Are they really at the right side of the law? I know the law is meant to protect the rights of even businesses. But in this case, Odex is claiming to play the role of policing, which it had appointed itself, plus making money from it?
Sorry for starting to be incoherent. But please, shed some light.