An Open Letter To Neko Scans and Their Partner Diabolik Lovers Official Group
UPDATED MAY 25TH: As of today, the chapter reposted on Diabolik Lovers Official Group has been taken down. I'd like to give a big thank you to all the fangirls (and fanboys) who have offered me your support and understanding. Especially the fangirls across the Pacific who stepped to get the repost taken down once they were aware of what had been going on. Showing that everything unpleasant that happened here was the singular action of one, individual and not a reflection of the Neko Scan group as a whole. I apologize that I can't speak Russian to thank you more thoroughly. But I really appreciate everyone who took the time to read my message, especially since it was in a foreign language. благодарю!
This letter provides as much information as possible detailing the situation with the behaviour shown by Tina of Neko Scans over the last couple of days. Because I do not speak Russian, all parts translated from Russian can be attributed to google translate. Having not anticipated Neko Scan's childish reaction I didn't have the foresight to take screenshots beforehand. Where it was possible, I have since made screencaps of everything that has happened to do my best to show the situation in full in the chronological order it happened.
It should be noted that St Petersburg Russia is roughly 12 hours ahead so, when referring to posts made on Russian sites I will do my best to adjust for the time difference. My own journal is PST.
An Open Letter to Neko Scans' Tina, and her partner the Diabolik Lovers Official Group
When you first contacted me, Friday, May 17th,
(Exhibit 1)
You requested use of my Diabolik Lovers Anthology scanlations: [Page, now sans DL links, Here]. And I responded, as per my policy.
(Exhibit 2)
(Exhibit 3)
(Exhibit 4)
Concurrently, during this period, I noticed that Diabolik Lovers Official Group had posted up a full chapter of my scans which is against my policy as can be seen on my journal here:
Please do not upload this to Mangafox or other manga aggregators. This is just for fun, practice, and fangirling purposes. And, I'd rather not support the problem that Mangafox has become for some scanlation groups. Additionally, because these are my own personal scans, in the case that I find things being uploaded without my permission, any future postings will be F-locked.
Also, directly linking to the chapters or posting images of full chapters without credit or a link back is a dick move.
On the 18th, I posted my first request, which has since been deleted and reposted several times, on the post, which is dated May 16th meaning it was posted on the 15th if we allow for the time differences. [Located here]. I also messaged the mod herself requesting removal.
(Exhibit 5)
(Exhibit 6)
On the 19th, at this point, I made the first official post on my journal recognizing the situation. There was no response from either party. Though I noted that while Neko Scans was both aware of the situation, and seemingly continuing their efforts to retranslate my scanlations despite being turned down:
(Exhibit 7)
(Exhibit 7 Translated by Google)
At this point, also I sent the first of two messages to Neko Scans
(Exhibit 8)
On the 20th, still with no response and taking note that Neko Scans was using the cover image I'd scanned myself, pasted over with their logo, as their cover image. I messaged her again.
(Exhibit 9)
Made the appropriate update on my Diabolik Lovers Anthology page [Which again can be seen here]. And also left a message on both Neko Scan's VK page and Diabolik Lovers Official group's page posted for the public notifying the groups what was going on. This was posted four times once on each of the offending scans on once on the message boards themselves. The message has since been deleted but I can recreate it to the best of my memory:
Both Neko Scans and Diabolik Lovers Official group have posted full chapters of my scans (http://spicy-diamond.livejournal.com/126241.html) and stolen my cover image. They DO NOT have permission to use my scanlations. I ask again, more forcefully this time as my messages have been repeatedly ignored, please remove my scans.
In summary, via google translate as I don't speak Russian: Neko Scans and Diabolik Lovers Official воров
'воров' being intended to mean 'thieves, which I'll admit I probably could have been more eloquent about but I was unwilling to risk google translate garbling the first part of my message.
And, while I cannot provide an image for my message, I can note the reaction from Neko Scans and the childishness that ensued on the 21st of May.
The first of which being the immediate notice that 'SPAM' had hit the Neko Scans community.
(Exhibit 9)
(Exhibit 9 - Translated)
Then, changing the cover image, rather than acknowledging the fact that both groups were using images taken from my scans, the reaction from Neko Scans was stunningly childish from someone acting as leader of a scanlation group. To the point where it must have become obvious, even to the individual in question that what she was doing was wrong because she attempted to delete some of her messages.
(Exhibit 10) - Sent to my message box
See Exhibit 3
(Exhibit 11) - Located Here and Here on my DL post
Translation of the Russian post: But who needs your scans, goat, handing them a freak.
(Exhibit 12 - broken into two images due to being unable to get the time stamp and comment together without having a ridiculously huge image) - Posted and later deleted, perhaps because she had the sense to realize I was likely asleep at 2:16 in the morning, but the message was nonetheless archived by my email.
Translation of the Russian: Why so afraid of my of comments?
(Exhibit 12 - broken into two images due to being unable to get the time stamp and comment together without having a ridiculously huge image) - Posted and later deleted
Translation of the Russian: Want War ... get ready ...
(Exhibit 13) - Sent to my message box.
Which acknowledges that the scans are posted without permission, but, rather than lead by example, Neko Scans willing associates itself with known reposters. Though, in hind sight, this is not suprising.
(Exhibit 14) - Posted [Here, again in the DL comments]
(Exhibit 15) - She also then chooses to hijack a thread [Here]. Where I've pointed out that both she and her partner and Diabolik Lovers Official Group claimed to have wanted my scans for English to Russian translations that they immediately stop communication after I pointed out my policies and asked for my scans. My response, where I note that she has changed her groups cover image, can be seen following it.
Translation of the Russian: Want "жопить" project ... keep going on.
жопить as I did some more digging, following root words, the closest I could find was
ЗАЖОПИТЬ
ЗАЖОПИТЬ , -плю, -пишь; сов.
1. кого с чем. Поймать, застать на месте преступления.
2. что. Не отдать, зажилить, зажать.
1. - от за жопу поймать , см. см. жопа ;
2. - от жопить, см. жопиться .
ЖОПИТЬСЯ
ЖОПИТЬСЯ , -плюсь, -пишься; несов. , без доп.
Жадничать, проявлять несговорчивость.
От см. жопа .
ЖОПА
ж. груб. arse
source 1, 2, 3
Or
ZAZHOPIT
ZAZHOPIT, plu-,-pish; owls.
1. anyone with anything. Catch that catch in the act.
2. that. Do not give it up, healed, to pinch.
1. - As for the ass to catch, see, see ass;
2. - From zhopit see zhopitsya.
ZHOPITSYA
ZHOPITSYA, plyus-,-pishsya; imperf. , Without further.
Be greedy, be intractable.
From see Ass.
Ass
Well. rude. arse
What I was unaware of at the time however was that, rather than purely being snarky, this was a declaration of intent and, as I was alerted by dilligent fangirls on tumblr, on May 21st, in rapid succession, I had both the first chapter of my Diabolik Lovers Anthology scanlation as well as the first chapter of my Amnesia Later scanlations (DL links since taken down) posted over numerous manga aggregators, with out credits, and, for the most part, hidden under the wrong title.
http://www.mangatraders.com/manga/series/10116
http://www.mangahere.com/manga/diabolik_lovers_prequel/
http://www.tenmanga.com/book/DIABOLIK+LOVERS+-+PREQUEL.html
http://www.mangayes.com/chapter/Diabolik-Lovers--Prequel-1/324835/
http://mangawall.com/manga/diabolik-lovers--prequel
http://manga.animea.net/diabolik-lovers-prequel.html
http://mangafox.me/manga/diabolik_lovers_prequel/
http://www.goodmanga.net/6261/diabolik-lovers-prequel
http://www.mangatank.com/manga/diabolik-lovers-prequel
http://mangafox.me/manga/amnesia_later/
http://www.mangatraders.com/manga/series/10116
http://www.mangapark.com/manga/amnesia-later
http://www.goodmanga.net/6263/amnesia-later
http://www.mangatank.com/manga/amnesia-later
http://www.mangayes.com/manga/AMNESIA+LATER.html
http://www.mangahere.com/manga/amnesia_later/
http://mangawall.com/manga/amnesia-later
These are just a handful. I'm sure there's more. Some of them have since been relabeled/taken down. But, all of them were posted on the same day.
I can easily prove they're mine. All of my scanlations include a 'hidden' watermark of not using a period. I have the .xmp files I originally worked on to clean and typeset them - Diabolik Lovers Anthology - Chapter 1 - Page 1, Amnesia Later Anthology - Chapter 1 - Page 1, I own the books, and the small piddly scanner, I used to scan them from:
[Click for Full Size]
The idea of a group keeping their own scans exclusive is not a new one. Particularly, as I am but a single fangirl, scanlating is an expensive and time consuming hobbie for me. And, for the most part, people are marveleously understanding of that. Especially for those in small fandoms.
Another thing I would like to note is that at the time of this posting, as due to time restraints this letter took awhile to complete, I note that while Neko Scans does appear to have gotten scans other than my own to use. There is no credit given for the origin of the scans. [Linked rather than posted due to size] The word we're looking for being 'сканы' as Neko Scans was so kind to provide us with in her earlier posts.
To Tina of Neko Scans, in your childish temper tantrum, you have called me many names. However, at this point, I would like to note that I need no names for you. You actions have spoken well enough for you. There were many opportunities for you to take the high road here. I'm not sure about how the justice system in Russia works, but here, we allow someone to be judged by a jury of their peers. As such, I open this issue up to all of your peers and those in the scanlation community:
I wish for everyone to please consider the actions Neko Scans has taken here and consider whether or not you wish to associate yourselves with a group that chooses to bully and deliberately uploads other groups scans as an act of "war".
To everyone who has bothered to read this post. Thank you.
To any of the scanlation groups who took the time to read this post. A big thank you, I have so much appreciation for what you guys do for fandom. Especially for those of us in small fandoms.
To the fangirls on tumblr. You guys are awesome. I'm mostly a lurker when it comes to fandom and I started the Diabolik Lovers scanlations as something of a small personal experiment for myself. I have never been so happy, or flattered, than when I seen you guys take on mangafox for me. Hugs! If anyone else has a LJ they wish to dust off, or if someone would like to talk on a tumblr-based posting partnership?? There's an old, old saying that some of you might be familiar with that goes along the lines of 'There's no use bolting the stable door when the horse has already gone'. Since the anthology scans are already out there, let's get them out there! (With the right title this time, yes? XD) If anyone has a particular aggregator their fond of, just raise your hand And just maybe we can hook ourselves some new DL fangirls before we're hit by the wave the anime is sure to bring.
To the people who are just here for the wank. I hope the popcorn's tasty.
Thank you,
Spicy Diamond
This letter provides as much information as possible detailing the situation with the behaviour shown by Tina of Neko Scans over the last couple of days. Because I do not speak Russian, all parts translated from Russian can be attributed to google translate. Having not anticipated Neko Scan's childish reaction I didn't have the foresight to take screenshots beforehand. Where it was possible, I have since made screencaps of everything that has happened to do my best to show the situation in full in the chronological order it happened.
It should be noted that St Petersburg Russia is roughly 12 hours ahead so, when referring to posts made on Russian sites I will do my best to adjust for the time difference. My own journal is PST.
An Open Letter to Neko Scans' Tina, and her partner the Diabolik Lovers Official Group
When you first contacted me, Friday, May 17th,
(Exhibit 1)
You requested use of my Diabolik Lovers Anthology scanlations: [Page, now sans DL links, Here]. And I responded, as per my policy.
(Exhibit 2)
(Exhibit 3)
(Exhibit 4)
Concurrently, during this period, I noticed that Diabolik Lovers Official Group had posted up a full chapter of my scans which is against my policy as can be seen on my journal here:
Please do not upload this to Mangafox or other manga aggregators. This is just for fun, practice, and fangirling purposes. And, I'd rather not support the problem that Mangafox has become for some scanlation groups. Additionally, because these are my own personal scans, in the case that I find things being uploaded without my permission, any future postings will be F-locked.
Also, directly linking to the chapters or posting images of full chapters without credit or a link back is a dick move.
On the 18th, I posted my first request, which has since been deleted and reposted several times, on the post, which is dated May 16th meaning it was posted on the 15th if we allow for the time differences. [Located here]. I also messaged the mod herself requesting removal.
(Exhibit 5)
(Exhibit 6)
On the 19th, at this point, I made the first official post on my journal recognizing the situation. There was no response from either party. Though I noted that while Neko Scans was both aware of the situation, and seemingly continuing their efforts to retranslate my scanlations despite being turned down:
(Exhibit 7)
(Exhibit 7 Translated by Google)
At this point, also I sent the first of two messages to Neko Scans
(Exhibit 8)
On the 20th, still with no response and taking note that Neko Scans was using the cover image I'd scanned myself, pasted over with their logo, as their cover image. I messaged her again.
(Exhibit 9)
Made the appropriate update on my Diabolik Lovers Anthology page [Which again can be seen here]. And also left a message on both Neko Scan's VK page and Diabolik Lovers Official group's page posted for the public notifying the groups what was going on. This was posted four times once on each of the offending scans on once on the message boards themselves. The message has since been deleted but I can recreate it to the best of my memory:
Both Neko Scans and Diabolik Lovers Official group have posted full chapters of my scans (http://spicy-diamond.livejournal.com/126241.html) and stolen my cover image. They DO NOT have permission to use my scanlations. I ask again, more forcefully this time as my messages have been repeatedly ignored, please remove my scans.
In summary, via google translate as I don't speak Russian: Neko Scans and Diabolik Lovers Official воров
'воров' being intended to mean 'thieves, which I'll admit I probably could have been more eloquent about but I was unwilling to risk google translate garbling the first part of my message.
And, while I cannot provide an image for my message, I can note the reaction from Neko Scans and the childishness that ensued on the 21st of May.
The first of which being the immediate notice that 'SPAM' had hit the Neko Scans community.
(Exhibit 9)
(Exhibit 9 - Translated)
Then, changing the cover image, rather than acknowledging the fact that both groups were using images taken from my scans, the reaction from Neko Scans was stunningly childish from someone acting as leader of a scanlation group. To the point where it must have become obvious, even to the individual in question that what she was doing was wrong because she attempted to delete some of her messages.
(Exhibit 10) - Sent to my message box
See Exhibit 3
(Exhibit 11) - Located Here and Here on my DL post
Translation of the Russian post: But who needs your scans, goat, handing them a freak.
(Exhibit 12 - broken into two images due to being unable to get the time stamp and comment together without having a ridiculously huge image) - Posted and later deleted, perhaps because she had the sense to realize I was likely asleep at 2:16 in the morning, but the message was nonetheless archived by my email.
Translation of the Russian: Why so afraid of my of comments?
(Exhibit 12 - broken into two images due to being unable to get the time stamp and comment together without having a ridiculously huge image) - Posted and later deleted
Translation of the Russian: Want War ... get ready ...
(Exhibit 13) - Sent to my message box.
Which acknowledges that the scans are posted without permission, but, rather than lead by example, Neko Scans willing associates itself with known reposters. Though, in hind sight, this is not suprising.
(Exhibit 14) - Posted [Here, again in the DL comments]
(Exhibit 15) - She also then chooses to hijack a thread [Here]. Where I've pointed out that both she and her partner and Diabolik Lovers Official Group claimed to have wanted my scans for English to Russian translations that they immediately stop communication after I pointed out my policies and asked for my scans. My response, where I note that she has changed her groups cover image, can be seen following it.
Translation of the Russian: Want "жопить" project ... keep going on.
жопить as I did some more digging, following root words, the closest I could find was
ЗАЖОПИТЬ
ЗАЖОПИТЬ , -плю, -пишь; сов.
1. кого с чем. Поймать, застать на месте преступления.
2. что. Не отдать, зажилить, зажать.
1. - от за жопу поймать , см. см. жопа ;
2. - от жопить, см. жопиться .
ЖОПИТЬСЯ
ЖОПИТЬСЯ , -плюсь, -пишься; несов. , без доп.
Жадничать, проявлять несговорчивость.
От см. жопа .
ЖОПА
ж. груб. arse
source 1, 2, 3
Or
ZAZHOPIT
ZAZHOPIT, plu-,-pish; owls.
1. anyone with anything. Catch that catch in the act.
2. that. Do not give it up, healed, to pinch.
1. - As for the ass to catch, see, see ass;
2. - From zhopit see zhopitsya.
ZHOPITSYA
ZHOPITSYA, plyus-,-pishsya; imperf. , Without further.
Be greedy, be intractable.
From see Ass.
Ass
Well. rude. arse
What I was unaware of at the time however was that, rather than purely being snarky, this was a declaration of intent and, as I was alerted by dilligent fangirls on tumblr, on May 21st, in rapid succession, I had both the first chapter of my Diabolik Lovers Anthology scanlation as well as the first chapter of my Amnesia Later scanlations (DL links since taken down) posted over numerous manga aggregators, with out credits, and, for the most part, hidden under the wrong title.
http://www.mangatraders.com/manga/series/10116
http://www.mangahere.com/manga/diabolik_lovers_prequel/
http://www.tenmanga.com/book/DIABOLIK+LOVERS+-+PREQUEL.html
http://www.mangayes.com/chapter/Diabolik-Lovers--Prequel-1/324835/
http://mangawall.com/manga/diabolik-lovers--prequel
http://manga.animea.net/diabolik-lovers-prequel.html
http://mangafox.me/manga/diabolik_lovers_prequel/
http://www.goodmanga.net/6261/diabolik-lovers-prequel
http://www.mangatank.com/manga/diabolik-lovers-prequel
http://mangafox.me/manga/amnesia_later/
http://www.mangatraders.com/manga/series/10116
http://www.mangapark.com/manga/amnesia-later
http://www.goodmanga.net/6263/amnesia-later
http://www.mangatank.com/manga/amnesia-later
http://www.mangayes.com/manga/AMNESIA+LATER.html
http://www.mangahere.com/manga/amnesia_later/
http://mangawall.com/manga/amnesia-later
These are just a handful. I'm sure there's more. Some of them have since been relabeled/taken down. But, all of them were posted on the same day.
I can easily prove they're mine. All of my scanlations include a 'hidden' watermark of not using a period. I have the .xmp files I originally worked on to clean and typeset them - Diabolik Lovers Anthology - Chapter 1 - Page 1, Amnesia Later Anthology - Chapter 1 - Page 1, I own the books, and the small piddly scanner, I used to scan them from:
[Click for Full Size]
The idea of a group keeping their own scans exclusive is not a new one. Particularly, as I am but a single fangirl, scanlating is an expensive and time consuming hobbie for me. And, for the most part, people are marveleously understanding of that. Especially for those in small fandoms.
Another thing I would like to note is that at the time of this posting, as due to time restraints this letter took awhile to complete, I note that while Neko Scans does appear to have gotten scans other than my own to use. There is no credit given for the origin of the scans. [Linked rather than posted due to size] The word we're looking for being 'сканы' as Neko Scans was so kind to provide us with in her earlier posts.
![[Linked rather than posted due to size]](http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff34/spicy_diamond/Scanlations%20Fiasco/Diabolik_lovers_Ch01_P018_zps9cea11cd.png){kind=link}
To Tina of Neko Scans, in your childish temper tantrum, you have called me many names. However, at this point, I would like to note that I need no names for you. You actions have spoken well enough for you. There were many opportunities for you to take the high road here. I'm not sure about how the justice system in Russia works, but here, we allow someone to be judged by a jury of their peers. As such, I open this issue up to all of your peers and those in the scanlation community:
I wish for everyone to please consider the actions Neko Scans has taken here and consider whether or not you wish to associate yourselves with a group that chooses to bully and deliberately uploads other groups scans as an act of "war".
To everyone who has bothered to read this post. Thank you.
To any of the scanlation groups who took the time to read this post. A big thank you, I have so much appreciation for what you guys do for fandom. Especially for those of us in small fandoms.
To the fangirls on tumblr. You guys are awesome. I'm mostly a lurker when it comes to fandom and I started the Diabolik Lovers scanlations as something of a small personal experiment for myself. I have never been so happy, or flattered, than when I seen you guys take on mangafox for me. Hugs! If anyone else has a LJ they wish to dust off, or if someone would like to talk on a tumblr-based posting partnership?? There's an old, old saying that some of you might be familiar with that goes along the lines of 'There's no use bolting the stable door when the horse has already gone'. Since the anthology scans are already out there, let's get them out there! (With the right title this time, yes? XD) If anyone has a particular aggregator their fond of, just raise your hand And just maybe we can hook ourselves some new DL fangirls before we're hit by the wave the anime is sure to bring.
To the people who are just here for the wank. I hope the popcorn's tasty.
Thank you,
Spicy Diamond