TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Dragon Ball Z Abridged

Go To

RavenWilder Since: Apr, 2009
#26151: Apr 6th 2017 at 7:10:37 PM

I'd like to point out that, from my understanding, abridged series actually don't count as fair use.

Fair use protection for parodies extends to things like using the same plot, setting, and characters as the work being parodied, but not reusing the same audio-visual recordings. If DBZ Abridged were exactly the same, except they animated their own drawings instead of taking clips from DBZ episodes, then they'd be entirely within the bounds of the law. But since they're actually using someone else's drawings without their permission, yeah, that's a violation of copyright.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#26152: Apr 6th 2017 at 7:17:09 PM

Ultimately, the definition of fair use is pretty nebulous and deliberately so. One of the biggest distinctions, however, is that in order to qualify as a parody, the work must be used to mock itself. Beyond that, fair use does extend to the use of the original product being mocked. In fact, the courts have even gone so far as to rule that it is perfectly legal to profit off of it so long as your transformative work is a parody.

Of all the options under the Fair Use umbrella, parody receives the widest lenience. So long as it's provably meant to make fun of the original material, you can do just about anything.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
Zelenal The Cat Knows Where It's At from Purrgatory Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
The Cat Knows Where It's At
#26153: Apr 6th 2017 at 7:17:54 PM

As far as I can tell, it's actually a legal grey area with arguments both for and against.

Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!
RavenWilder Since: Apr, 2009
#26154: Apr 6th 2017 at 8:25:18 PM

I'm just going off what I was taught in college, where we were allowed to use text quotes from other sources in papers and other projects we turned in, but never under any circumstances a picture taken from another source.

Saiga Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
#26155: Apr 7th 2017 at 3:23:37 AM

[up][up][up] Except actually using someone else's footage. That is 100% not legal, despite your claims.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#26156: Apr 7th 2017 at 9:22:34 AM

Yes, it is. If it wasn't, reviewers wouldn't be permitted to include footage from the content they were reviewing, and remember: parody is given more copyright leeway than reviews are. Fair use boils down to four factors:

  1. Purpose and character of use. To qualify as fair, it must contribute something new to our understanding of the material, of the arts, of society, etc. It can't just be doing the same thing over again. This is where the work's nature as a parody comes into play, because it explores new angles and ways of looking at the same characters.
  2. Nature of the original work. This is where copyright holders of fictional materials hold an advantage but, as noted, being a fictional work does not by itself prohibit fair use.
  3. Amount and substantiality. How much of the original work is being used? Courts have ruled in favor of copying some or even all of the original work in a copyright dispute so long as the secondary user copies only as much as is needed for their intended use. Bear in mind that what footage TFS does use is often heavily edited by Kaiser.
  4. Effect upon the work's value. This is where the kicker lies. In order to successfully file legal action against Team Four Star for violation of copyright, Toei would have to be able to prove that their use of the material has had an adverse effect on Dragon Ball's marketability. That they have made the IP less popular and harmed the company's profits.

Like I said, there's a reason a Cease and Desist order has never arrived at TFS's doorstep. It's not that Toei tolerates them just enough but likes to troll them from time to time. It's that Toei has no legal ground to stand on.

edited 7th Apr '17 9:25:16 AM by TobiasDrake

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
RavenWilder Since: Apr, 2009
#26157: Apr 7th 2017 at 10:20:40 AM

Reviews can generally only use promotional clips, though, snippets of the work released for the purpose of being widely distributed for free in order to get people interested in the product. Taking your own clips from the work to put in your review is something that studios can shut down.

Soble Since: Dec, 2013
#26158: Apr 7th 2017 at 1:43:22 PM

That they have made the IP less popular and harmed the company's profits.

Considering there are people who believe the Abridged version is superior and either never watched, or never will watch the original series and/or films, and will probably never purchase any DVD's/collections...

...meanwhile Team Four Star probably benefits from t-shirts and similar merch...

I'M MR. MEESEEKS, LOOK AT ME!
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#26159: Apr 7th 2017 at 1:53:07 PM

Pretty sure the stuff for merchandise only goes to helping the series, and they don't profit from it in any other way. I think they've mentioned that more than once. If that wasn't the case they probably could be sued, and even if not, they don't seem like they'd actually want hurt the name of Dragon Ball.

And people can believe whatever they want. I have various issues with a lot of the ways people claim this is "better", but in the end people like what they like.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#26160: Apr 7th 2017 at 2:02:21 PM

Under Fair Use, you are allowed to profit off parody works. Affecting the value of the work is only a one-way street.

Given that TFS members keep getting hired to do voice work for official products, proving that they've harmed Dragon Ball's marketability would be an uphill battle.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
Zelenal The Cat Knows Where It's At from Purrgatory Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
The Cat Knows Where It's At
#26161: Apr 7th 2017 at 2:07:09 PM

Hell, it's entirely possible that Xenoverse got a small boost in sales once it was learned that Taka was in the game. A rather small boost but still a boost.

Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!
Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#26162: Apr 7th 2017 at 4:33:56 PM

I know that I suddenly learned and simultaneously got excited for Xenoverse after I heard about that gag dub track. Not sure id have learned about the game if I wasn't hanging around this thread.

I have a message from another time...
BaconManiac5000 Since: Nov, 2013 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#26163: Apr 7th 2017 at 8:50:25 PM

Yeah, everyone I know who talked about Xenoverse talked about how Abridged Nappa was in it.

what do you mean I didn't win, I ate more wet t-shirts than anyone else
God_of_Awesome Since: Jan, 2001
#26164: Apr 8th 2017 at 6:50:49 PM

It is true I don't do shit about "supporting the official release". I have almost no interest in the original material.

To be fair, I probably wouldn't have ever had any interest in it without the abridged series to begin with.

The amount of original material I consume is pretty limited to begin with.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#26165: Apr 8th 2017 at 7:08:33 PM

Influence aside, I'd image that most people who have an interest in the abridged were at least aware of the real thing first, if not actively interested in it, but that's probably a safe bet too.

The only thing that really bothers me is when people act like only liking abridged because it's "better" is some sort of badge of honor.

BaconManiac5000 Since: Nov, 2013 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#26166: Apr 8th 2017 at 8:16:57 PM

This series is why I got into Dragon Ball in the first place.

I'd seen some stuff of it before, but the problem is that it's not a very approachable franchise.

Abridged is a great starting point if you want to get into it and don't know where or how to start.

what do you mean I didn't win, I ate more wet t-shirts than anyone else
VeryMelon Since: Jul, 2011 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#26167: Apr 8th 2017 at 8:20:25 PM

Make something good enough, you can pull anyone in.

edited 8th Apr '17 8:23:16 PM by VeryMelon

Zelenal The Cat Knows Where It's At from Purrgatory Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
The Cat Knows Where It's At
#26168: Apr 8th 2017 at 8:26:07 PM

I really don't see how Dragon Ball isn't very approachable. Especially once Kai got made.

Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#26169: Apr 8th 2017 at 8:43:47 PM

I'd already read all of Dragon Ball before Yugioh Abridged even started the Abridgement craze, so DBZA certainly didn't draw me into the series.

Moth13 Since: Sep, 2010
#26170: Apr 8th 2017 at 9:07:07 PM

[up][up]The OG series is like 300 episodes, and a lot of that is padding.

randomness4 Ghost '11 from The Land of Inconvenience Since: Sep, 2011
Ghost '11
#26171: Apr 8th 2017 at 9:39:36 PM

Around 280...

Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.
BaconManiac5000 Since: Nov, 2013 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#26172: Apr 8th 2017 at 9:59:38 PM

Plus, like, there's a lot of cultural differences you gotta get past and a lot of Pop Culture Osmosis that already colors your perception of the show.

what do you mean I didn't win, I ate more wet t-shirts than anyone else
Zelenal The Cat Knows Where It's At from Purrgatory Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
The Cat Knows Where It's At
#26173: Apr 9th 2017 at 5:11:52 AM

That's true about any popular work from a country not your own. Although, in the case of Dragon Ball, the only thing from the Saiyan Saga onward (and maybe even before that) that would be lost due to cultural differences is Chi-chi's bit about Goku turning Gohan into a delinquent.

Also, I have no idea why Pop Culture Osmosis would have anything to do with you not watching something unless the only thing you knew about was "It sucks."

edited 9th Apr '17 5:12:52 AM by Zelenal

Let the joy of love give you an answer! Check out my book!
HextarVigar That guy from The Big House Since: Feb, 2015
That guy
#26174: Apr 10th 2017 at 12:27:13 AM

At least in the original Dragon Ball, shit actually happened instead of being dragged out for four or five episodes.

They didn't have to come up with any "Kai" version because they didn't fuck around.

Your momma's so dumb she thinks oral sex means talking dirty.
Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#26175: Apr 10th 2017 at 12:37:53 AM

Not as much actually goes on in the later manga chapters as well. Exponential growth is something shonen mangas and anime fall victim to, later fights are longer than earlier arcs.


Total posts: 40,340
Top