Pardon this interruption,
Animeland would like to make a statement as we get started on working on our 2014 show:
To our anime community, Animeland would like to give details about the lawsuit between Funimation vs. Miller Timmons. The framework of this lawsuit that is pending in the Denver court system is an attempt for Funimation, Nan Desu Kan and Wasabi Anime to drive Animeland, Miller Timmons, and their fans out of the anime community in Denver because we have grown over the past six years.
First, Animeland would like to address the issues with Funimation. Funimation claims that we (Animeland and Miller Timmons) have in essence, willfully conspired to sell, defraud and cheat the fans and anime community with fraudulent, counterfeit or bootleg items. This is completely and utterly false. Our vendors are credible and carry official merchandise. Every show has an infraction or two but we have stood by our no bootleg policy and have given warnings and corrected deficiencies on our own. And we stand behind these vendors as they have supported Animeland for many years and a lot of them work shows around the country and even at NDK. The raison d'etre of this lawsuit began apparently as Mr. Timmons, an artist selling self-made car and laptop stickers, had designs similar to ones in the movies that Funimation own copyrights. They claimed that these 2-3 items (of 300) were infringing. After speaking to an actual representative of Funimation at a show in Texas back in 2008, he ceased selling the items that the representative said may be infringing. That one encounter is the only time before this lawsuit (which was levied upon Animeand/Timmons in March 2013) that anyone from Funimation has tried to make contact at all. Not via email, not via registered mail, not via phone and not at any other show. The only other contact made has been with Mr. Timmons in 2008 with their licensing department via email and phone. Mr. Timmons requested to work out a licensing deal to make stickers of their designs and to pay licensing fees to them in 2008, after his encounter with their representative. After several positive emails, Funimation’s licensing department ceased their communication even after several attempts by Mr. Timmons around that same time. They have never contacted Animeland, the director nor Mr. Timmons about any vendor, fraudulent items being sold or with a blacklist of items to watch out for. Not via email, not via registered mail, not via phone and not at any Animeland show, until they levied this lawsuit.
Second, Animeland would like to address the convention known as Nan Desu Kan. Also known as NDK. From 2008-2011, Animeland Wasabi tried to extend the olive branch to NDK in the form of table swaps, cross promotion, volunteers and events. Every year their director and staff literally banned cross staffing, table swaps and even flyer drops. NDK would not entertain anything that had to do with Animeland Wasabi. Then in 2011, Nan Desu Kan contacted Animeland to extend an olive branch as we had done every year with NDK previously. We let them in with open arms. But to our surprise, NDK has been the agent for Funimation to gather our show deficiencies and to purchase the one or two “counterfeit” items (a pocket watch and acrylic dragonballs) that Funimation claims runs rampant at our show. Nan Desu Kan has assisted Funimation to bring this lawsuit to fruition, since Funimation has never been a guest at Animeland Wasabi as they are with Nan Desu Kan. Over half of the guest for NDK are Funimation industry executives and representatives. And for NDK, this is the best way to push us out of the market in Denver. The lawsuit corresponds to the times NDK has been included ‘guests’ at our shows with full access to our event facilities which began as Animeland embarked on preparations in 2010 getting ready for our 2011 show. Funimation’s lawsuit states infringement begin in 2010.
Third, Animeland would like to address Wasabi Anime. They are piggy backing on the Funimation lawsuit. Wasabi Anime ran panels at other peoples convention from 2001-present. The Wasabi Anime panel team ran a convention in 2007 as Green Mustard (not Wasabi Anime) and even on their site distinguishes that it was Green Mustard Entertainment and not Wasabi Anime. Anime Wasabi (changed to Animeland Wasabi in 2009 as we decided to create a series of shows) started in March 2008. Tom Croome continues to harass Animeland Wasabi over the name, even knowing there is no infringement and his application is still waiting full approval.
No one has contacted Animeland or Mr. Timmons for a statement. We have not made any other claims or statements about Funimation, Nan Desu Kan or Wasabi Anime. If anyone has information that can help this case, please use the email the.frivolous.funimation.giant@gmail.com to send any information. Animeland is attempting to take statements that may help us or Mr. Timmons in this David and Goliath case. Funimation has been suing unsuccessfully over the past few years in an attempt to win damages over copyright and intellectual property issues with small companies, artist and individuals with no means to fight them. Animeland would like to continue Funimations failed record plus proceed in bringing FAN ART to the anime community that has enjoyed all types of artist work and Animeland will continue planning exciting events that raise the voice of otaku everywhere.
:-)
