On December 9, 2024, Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio, issued a stern warning against the unauthorized reproduction and sale of their copyrighted material.
The statement, released in Japanese, English, and Chinese, addresses a growing concern over the illegal sale of framed images and paintings taken from Studio Ghibli’s films, books, and other publications.
The Issue
Studio Ghibli has identified several stores and online shops selling unauthorized reproductions of their artwork at exorbitant prices. These products, often framed or otherwise altered, are being sold without the studio’s permission, infringing on their copyrights and intellectual property rights.
Studio Ghibli’s Response
The company has made it clear that they have not authorized these activities and intends to take strict action, both civil and criminal, against those responsible. In their official statement, Studio Ghibli emphasized:
We have confirmed that there are several stores and online shops that sell framed images and paintings taken from our films, books and other publications at extremely high prices. These products are unauthorized reproductions that infringe on Studio Ghibli’s copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Please be advised that Studio Ghibli has not authorized these activities and intends to take strict action, both civil and criminal, as applicable.
All of Studio Ghibli’s works were created and produced by many people involving years of hard work. We release our films globally and the films and their characters are beloved by people around the world. We strive to continue to make our films, both past and future , and officially licensed products to our fans around the world for many more years. However, the sales of unauthorized copyright infringement products devalue our global image and are nothing more than unlawful sales that cannot be overlooked.
As we continue to strengthen protections of our intellectual property rights from our films and strive to ensure that our fans can enjoy them, we would like to thank you for your continued patronage of officially licensed and authorized businesses.”
The Impact on Studio Ghibli’s Legacy
Studio Ghibli’s works are the result of years of hard work by numerous individuals. The studio’s films and characters have garnered a global fanbase and are beloved worldwide. The unauthorized sale of copied artwork not only infringes on their intellectual property but also devalues their global image.
Moving forward, Studio Ghibli has pledged to strengthen the protection of their intellectual property rights. They aim to ensure that fans can continue to enjoy their works through officially licensed and authorized channels.
As the studio continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their magical storytelling and breathtaking artwork, this move serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artistic creation and intellectual property rights in the digital age.
Featured image: Studio Ghibli
Source: Studio Ghibli
