版元との攻防

「遂に」というか「ようやく」というか、版権管理会社から以下のようなレターが寄せられました。

Hello – I am a lawyer writing to you from Creative Licensing Corporation. This company represents StudioCanal, who owns the worldwide exclusive rights to the Terminator. As the worldwide rights holder, StudioCanal has been legally licensing various manufactures throughout the world to create and sell items related to the Terminator film. These items include games, t-shirts, statues and much more. Officially licensed items have been in widespread distribution since the initial release of the first Terminator motion picture in 1984.

The items you are selling are not authorized and directly infringe on our rights and the rights of our licensees. Normally, we would demand that you immediately cease and desist from the manufacture, sale, distribution, and marketing of your products. However, we are impressed by the quality of your work and would like for you to become an official Terminator licensee. Unfortunately, we cannot let you continue to infringe on the Terminator rights by making unauthorized products.

I look forward to hearing from you within 10 business days. Thank you.

特筆すべきはNormallyからの一文からHoweverの文へと続いているくだりです。

この理不尽な内容に、即日返信を放ったのはいうまでもありません。その後の詳しい往復書簡については別ページでご紹介しています（前編英語となります）。申し訳ございませんが、T-STUDIOにゆかりのある「特定の方限定」のページです。ID欄に苗字を全小文字で入れて頂き、password欄へは携帯番号をハイフン無しで入力して閲覧下さい。なかなか面白い展開で、「いよいよか」と思わせる内容です。「正規版権のもと、T-STUDIOがメーカーとしてマス向けの製品を製造・販売」という日も近いのでしょうか。