My group or more exactly, I don't approve of it
1.Its crazy
You illegaly distribute copyrighted material over he internet yet you put your signature all over your scans.Isn't that saying "SUE ME!!"?Please have some sanity and it annoys people.For the assholes who steal scans to release them in other languages.Sending a mean e-mail is all that can be done if they have no dignity to ask first.
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Watermarks in Scanlations
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Hate them
They're annoying, but bearable
Don't care either way
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Goat Herder
Member
2:15 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 38
Member
4:14 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 2964
It depends on how they watermark it.
If it's on an area where one could spot but does not disturb the frames in anyway, it's good.
I actually adore looking at them. Some of the designs are prettiful~
If it's on an area where one could spot but does not disturb the frames in anyway, it's good.
I actually adore looking at them. Some of the designs are prettiful~
Member
4:42 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 10
Obviously it has some pros and cons, mainly whats been mentioned already. But has anyone mentioned watermarks' use against sites that requirement payment for to download manga? I know that's what Binktopia was trying to fight and by placing watermarks, they raise awareness to the unfortunates who are paying for something that can be gotten for free.
Personally I dont care either way; I mean I've read some really low quality scans in the past so watermarks aren't a big deal to me. And i mean REALLY LOW like unleveled, ms paint edits, broken english, with gutter shadows to top it off. The point I'm trying to get is, scanlations are free, so is it really a big deal if you have watermarks?
Personally I dont care either way; I mean I've read some really low quality scans in the past so watermarks aren't a big deal to me. And i mean REALLY LOW like unleveled, ms paint edits, broken english, with gutter shadows to top it off. The point I'm trying to get is, scanlations are free, so is it really a big deal if you have watermarks?
Prinny Puncher
Member
5:04 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 120
I read Credits although it started off just as checking for Translator notes but now I always check the credits out of habit or sometimes for a laugh.
Frankly I'm picky when it comes to Manga Scans I download for example, online I read Mixim11/12 from whoever is up on onemanga but when I download them for travelling I download from SnoopyCool [yes I realise he is on the thread, no am I not drooling like a fangirl meeting their favourite actor.... <.< >.> I'm sticking to that story], its the same with other Manga, I read anything readable online but when I download, like for Negima its Aquastar Fansubs and for One Piece its NULL, I download from Groups/People that I know or at least assume do the best work and that I enjoy reading, some of the Aqua credits make me luagh myself half to death.
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Frankly I'm picky when it comes to Manga Scans I download for example, online I read Mixim11/12 from whoever is up on onemanga but when I download them for travelling I download from SnoopyCool [yes I realise he is on the thread, no am I not drooling like a fangirl meeting their favourite actor.... <.< >.> I'm sticking to that story], its the same with other Manga, I read anything readable online but when I download, like for Negima its Aquastar Fansubs and for One Piece its NULL, I download from Groups/People that I know or at least assume do the best work and that I enjoy reading, some of the Aqua credits make me luagh myself half to death.
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Pomegranate
Member
5:30 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 2596
Quote from LunaticHigh
Obviously it has some pros and cons, mainly whats been mentioned already. But has anyone mentioned watermarks' use against sites that requirement payment for to download manga? I know that's what Binktopia was trying to fight and by placing watermarks, they raise awareness to the unfortunates who are paying for something that can be gotten for free.
Personally I dont care either way; I mean I've read some really low quality scans in the past so watermarks aren't a big deal to me. And i mean REALLY LOW like unleveled, ms paint edits, broken english, with gutter shadows to top it off. The point I'm trying to get is, scanlations are free, so is it really a big deal if you have watermarks?
Personally I dont care either way; I mean I've read some really low quality scans in the past so watermarks aren't a big deal to me. And i mean REALLY LOW like unleveled, ms paint edits, broken english, with gutter shadows to top it off. The point I'm trying to get is, scanlations are free, so is it really a big deal if you have watermarks?
Yes, someone did. Read the first page >.>
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Radical Dreamer
Member
9:51 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 42
Quote from StarlightDreams
I always tell them that if they want to translate it if they're willing to clean and edit the manga themselves and that I don't mind giving them the raws, but when they re-translate using the scans that we release, they screw it up, the quality goes down.
That sounds a lot like what I was saying, but more directly put. So it would seem that my concern about low quality re-releases is not unfounded.
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10:19 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 510
Quote from kojika
I'm probably one of those weird people who does occasionally read credits
Some groups do awesome credits pages. (strays page for My Balls comes to mind), so they're totally worth at least a skim. I skip all the anniversary/birthday stuff, 'cause that's completely useless to an outsider.
Quote
, I download from Groups/People that I know or at least assume do the best work and that I enjoy reading
I download from both, which is an interesting way to compare things. I've got 3 or 4 copies of the same chapter of TRC 'cause the translations were wonky and all a bit different, which does very bad things to coherency in a manga that's already a mess.
On topic: I'm in the same boat as most everyone else; I think they're pointless but if the scanlators like 'em go for it. Even big watermarks aren't so bad when they're faded out, but I've seen some darker then the text, and that's just beyond distracting.
Werd Nerd
Member10:58 pm, Oct 27 2008
Posts: 590
Honestly, I think they're a huge waste of time. I don't mind them - as long as they're not covering the images and screwing up the artwork, that is - but I really fail to see the point.
If a foreign-language group is going to use your scanlations without your permission, they're going to do it whether you've got watermarks everywhere or not. And in the end, it's going to make you look overly uptight if you've got your name plastered on every page of the series.
Your time would be much better spent on doing a good job of scanlating than on developing a watermark and obsessing about putting it on every x number of pages. Not that I'm saying that groups who use watermarks do a bad job or anything.
It just sort of reeks of immaturity to me, in the end. "Ohh, look at our group, we scanlated this manga and YOU MUST KNOW!" Honestly, if the person actually downloaded the manga, chances are the name of the scanlation group was listed on the site or they were going to the scanlation group's site in the first place. And if they didn't download it and are reading it online, they probably couldn't care less who scanlated it. They might not even realize how scanlations are done in the first place. So why bother shoving it in their faces?
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If a foreign-language group is going to use your scanlations without your permission, they're going to do it whether you've got watermarks everywhere or not. And in the end, it's going to make you look overly uptight if you've got your name plastered on every page of the series.
Your time would be much better spent on doing a good job of scanlating than on developing a watermark and obsessing about putting it on every x number of pages. Not that I'm saying that groups who use watermarks do a bad job or anything.
It just sort of reeks of immaturity to me, in the end. "Ohh, look at our group, we scanlated this manga and YOU MUST KNOW!" Honestly, if the person actually downloaded the manga, chances are the name of the scanlation group was listed on the site or they were going to the scanlation group's site in the first place. And if they didn't download it and are reading it online, they probably couldn't care less who scanlated it. They might not even realize how scanlations are done in the first place. So why bother shoving it in their faces?
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Member
5:23 am, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 170
It's a "biter bit" kind of thing. Let's not mince words here: you're stealing the author's work illegally and putting it out there, but as soon as someone does the same to you, BAWWW NOOOO! I'LL NEVER SCANSLATE AGAIN (I've seen this happen before 
) . I think watermarks are silly, but if it makes the group feel a little bit better about themselves, meh, what the heck. It's usually the worse groups that worry about that kind of thing, did you notice?
) . I think watermarks are silly, but if it makes the group feel a little bit better about themselves, meh, what the heck. It's usually the worse groups that worry about that kind of thing, did you notice? 
Mad With a Hat
Moderator
5:31 am, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 4764
For me it's generally just annoying.
If it's small and on the side then I can let it slide...
But when somebody puts a huge watermark on every other page in the middle...
Really, what are they trying to achieve?
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If it's small and on the side then I can let it slide...
But when somebody puts a huge watermark on every other page in the middle...
Really, what are they trying to achieve?
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A Person
Member
8:36 am, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 2126
As long as they don't obstruct any words/pictures, I'm cool with it.
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Namehage
Member
9:59 am, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 1619
I don't mind the idea of them. I think they're there more to prevent people like Tazmo from using their work on his site, etc.
I find them OK as long as they're inobtrusive and out of the way. If they're over the art significantly, then I generally dislike them.
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I find them OK as long as they're inobtrusive and out of the way. If they're over the art significantly, then I generally dislike them.
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If you've ever thought or said "Nice Guys finish last" and really meant it, then you should probably read this LJ post by DivaLion. It's incredibly insightful whether you're male or female.
From a bumper sticker I like:
"If you're gonna ride my ass, at least pull my hair."
Member
12:53 pm, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 26
As a scanlator, I think I'd have to say the main purpose of watermarks is to prevent people from abusing the time that we put into providing something to the scanlation world for free. ex) TAZMO
Concerning credit pages.. Do I honestly expect people to read credit pages? No, unless you like the translations/editing quaility. Then you might read, just to make sure that you're getting the quality work from the person you consider as "good". Why do I insist on including credit pages although most people prob don't read it? Because those credit pages belong to US as the work and time that we put into releasing a chapter. The chapter might not belong to us technically, but the WORK that we put into the chapter does.
Although there are people who say that we scanlators are "Stealing" authors' works, thus not giving us the rights to claim anything as "ours", there are many groups who scanlate materials that will never be licenced in the US, or in a certain language. I would ask readers then. Would you prefer to acknowledge the time and work that scanlation groups or individuals put into a chapter for you to enjoy(which is what a credit page is)? or Would you prefer that scanlation groups not scanlate at all since you consider scanlation "stealing"?
Focusing on the main topic:
As for the watermarks, I think it's a good way to ENCOURAGE BUYING THE BOOK instead of OGGLING at the PERFECT SCANS. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WATERMARKS, GO BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE AUTHOR. These scans online aren't meant for keeping. They are meant for you to read, enjoy, and to give you a taste of the book as TEMPORARY enjoyment. SCANLATIONS AREN'T MEANT TO BE STORED AND KEPT ON YOUR COMPUTER.
The reason that I watermark scans is because I DON'T WANT READERS TO STORE MY SCANS ON THEIR COMPUTER BECAUSE THEY LOOK GOOD. I'd prefer to bug the hell out of readers with lots of watermarks and encourage BUYING the book, than not watermarking and allowing readers to take scanlations and works by authors for granted, thinking that scanlations are forever and authors don't deserve the readers' support because it's something they get for "free" online.
If you think the excuse "Oh, they don't have the book in my country" works, please note that there are PLENTY of people who buy books in the original language, DESPITE the costs of shipping, and support the author. If you need translations, you can always read online (that's why you have scanlation groups), and keep the book as a mark of respect for the author.
Concerning credit pages.. Do I honestly expect people to read credit pages? No, unless you like the translations/editing quaility. Then you might read, just to make sure that you're getting the quality work from the person you consider as "good". Why do I insist on including credit pages although most people prob don't read it? Because those credit pages belong to US as the work and time that we put into releasing a chapter. The chapter might not belong to us technically, but the WORK that we put into the chapter does.
Although there are people who say that we scanlators are "Stealing" authors' works, thus not giving us the rights to claim anything as "ours", there are many groups who scanlate materials that will never be licenced in the US, or in a certain language. I would ask readers then. Would you prefer to acknowledge the time and work that scanlation groups or individuals put into a chapter for you to enjoy(which is what a credit page is)? or Would you prefer that scanlation groups not scanlate at all since you consider scanlation "stealing"?
Focusing on the main topic:
As for the watermarks, I think it's a good way to ENCOURAGE BUYING THE BOOK instead of OGGLING at the PERFECT SCANS. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WATERMARKS, GO BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE AUTHOR. These scans online aren't meant for keeping. They are meant for you to read, enjoy, and to give you a taste of the book as TEMPORARY enjoyment. SCANLATIONS AREN'T MEANT TO BE STORED AND KEPT ON YOUR COMPUTER.
The reason that I watermark scans is because I DON'T WANT READERS TO STORE MY SCANS ON THEIR COMPUTER BECAUSE THEY LOOK GOOD. I'd prefer to bug the hell out of readers with lots of watermarks and encourage BUYING the book, than not watermarking and allowing readers to take scanlations and works by authors for granted, thinking that scanlations are forever and authors don't deserve the readers' support because it's something they get for "free" online.
If you think the excuse "Oh, they don't have the book in my country" works, please note that there are PLENTY of people who buy books in the original language, DESPITE the costs of shipping, and support the author. If you need translations, you can always read online (that's why you have scanlation groups), and keep the book as a mark of respect for the author.
Bazooka .
Member
1:22 pm, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 603
It doesn't bother me, so I'm cool with it.The groups have the right , without them we wouldn't even be reading manga online.
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Mome Basher
Member
4:20 pm, Apr 3 2009
Posts: 3380
Meh, I don't really mind them unless they're huge and they cover a huge portion of a particular koma/s.
@noirstaff
The problem with buying is that not all titles are exactly licenced. Even when they are, they're probably made "newbie-friendly" - meaning some words would be totally different after taking away all traces of Japanese out of it and/or you get crappy ass sfx like "BAM" or "slides~~".
Unless you mean buy raws...>_>
If so, then yeah, I would, provided I keep the scanlation version.
Last edited by Scyfon at 4:28 pm, Apr 3 2009
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@noirstaff
The problem with buying is that not all titles are exactly licenced. Even when they are, they're probably made "newbie-friendly" - meaning some words would be totally different after taking away all traces of Japanese out of it and/or you get crappy ass sfx like "BAM" or "slides~~".
Unless you mean buy raws...>_>
If so, then yeah, I would, provided I keep the scanlation version.
Last edited by Scyfon at 4:28 pm, Apr 3 2009
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