Lionsgate license?

sonjordan · Post by **sonjordan** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:02 pm

Does anyone know if funimation is any closer to acquiring rights for a North American release of the first 13 episodes? I have all of the 2 disc sets and the Saga of goku dubbed as well as a PAL madman disc of the first 13 uncut but I was looking for some "complete, fully legal, plays on everything box set" type action.

I assume not since despite DBZ remastered release and the recently announced DBGT re-releases I haven't heard anything but doom and gloom on the DB possible release front. Is Lionsgate still renewing or is their a defined date their license expires? Any chance in hell I'll see this come to fruition in the next decade?

I've read through a bunch of posts and hadn't seen any new info, just wondering if I missed some groundbreaking announcement.

Thanks....long time lurker, first time poster and all that.

TheGreatness25 · Post by **TheGreatness25** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:14 pm

I really don't know if it is any time soon truth be told. Um just one question. Is it really Lionsgate? Or is it Trimark? Because Lionsgate owning the first 13 episodes of DB...really doesn't sound like them. On the other hand, Trimark is the company name on the old Ocean dubbed FUNimation Dragon Ball episodes.

sonjordan · Post by **sonjordan** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:19 pm

yeah...I'm a bit shaky on that too....Kidmark, trimark....

I heard they were absorbed into Lionsgate from what I've read....though take that for what it's worth 'cause the fact I'm asking the question means I don't know much.

The Time Traveller · Post by **The Time Traveller** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:02 pm

I was emailed about it from someone at Funimation the other day, they said they have no idea when they're able to get the rights, but they're looking forward to releasing Dragonball in its entirety, and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

I don't fully comprehend US Copyright laws, why not just release it as the Emperor Pilaf saga after buying rights from Toei?

Xyex · Post by **Xyex** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:03 pm

Yeah, Lionsgate bought out the owners of the rights and thusly acquired the rights themselves.

Also, your avatar's waaaay too big. Max allowed is 80x80.

EDIT:

I don't full comprehend US Copyright laws, why not just release it as the Emperor Pilaf saga after buying rights from Toei?

Because they can't. Toei can't sell the rights, Toei no longer has the rights to sell. Lionsgate has them. FUNimation either has to buy them from Lionsgate, wait for Lionsgate's copyright to expire (thus reverting ownership back to Toei), or wait for Toei to pull the liscense so they can buy it from them.

SSj_Rambo · Post by **SSj_Rambo** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:07 pm

From what I've heard Funimation does not have to work very hard to get the license, they are just waiting for when to acquire the lisence because they have to pay interest or something once they do get it. Also, I doubt Funimation would let rumors of them releasing season one of Dragonball fly around if they aren't even allowed to release the episodes, it'd be like letting people say they can do stuff they can't. This is all speculation of course, don't take this as official information.

Hao_Kaiser · Post by **Hao_Kaiser** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:27 pm

The Time Traveller wrote:and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.?

Wow... Haha... I really wish I understood that logic.

sonjordan · Post by **sonjordan** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:59 pm

hmmm.....seems they are not any closer to releasing them than they were a decade ago.

Oh well.

RE: Xyvex - sorry...didn't realize there was a limit to avatar size (didn't read the allowance maximum). All better now though.

SonEric84 · Post by **SonEric84** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:29 pm

The Time Traveller wrote:I was emailed about it from someone at Funimation the other day, they said they have no idea when they're able to get the rights, but they're looking forward to releasing Dragonball in its entirety, and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

I don't fully comprehend US Copyright laws, why not just release it as the Emperor Pilaf saga after buying rights from Toei?

Oh man, reasoning like that just makes my head hurt.

sangofe · Post by **sangofe** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:45 pm

The Time Traveller wrote: and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

Are you serious? Is this the reason they crop DBZ?

Kendamu · Post by **Kendamu** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:55 pm

The Time Traveller wrote:I was emailed about it from someone at Funimation the other day, they said they have no idea when they're able to get the rights, but they're looking forward to releasing Dragonball in its entirety, and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

I don't fully comprehend US Copyright laws, why not just release it as the Emperor Pilaf saga after buying rights from Toei?

Wait. What? I don't get what'cha mean.

Jerseymilk · Post by **Jerseymilk** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:33 pm

Last I heard, LionsGate knew very well the hot property they had come to acquire and seemed like they were going to make sure to hold onto it. It was from reading a statement by someone at LionsGate about it, if I recall. I suspect they're asking quite a high price from Funi in order to get the rights for distribution.

The Time Traveller · Post by **The Time Traveller** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:12 pm

Dragonball Z is more action packed, so for some reason they made it widescreen! For cinematic purposes, but it won't be in a cinema. Dragonball is more childish and fun. Hopefully they'll be no extra footage on the side of the prints so they'll have no need to make it widescreen anyway.

Anonymous Friend · Post by **Anonymous Friend** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:23 pm

SonEric84 wrote:
The Time Traveller wrote:I was emailed about it from someone at Funimation the other day, they said they have no idea when they're able to get the rights, but they're looking forward to releasing Dragonball in its entirety, and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

I don't fully comprehend US Copyright laws, why not just release it as the Emperor Pilaf saga after buying rights from Toei?
Oh man, reasoning like that just makes my head hurt.

Would you rather they thought it was and did it? Let the crazyness run rampant if it benfits us.

Brad Redfield · Post by **Brad Redfield** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:27 pm

I wonder if Lionsgate will re-release what they have when the movie hits.

The Time Traveller · Post by **The Time Traveller** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:28 pm

Since Revelation Films release like a quarter of Funimation's back catalogue in the UK, I'd like to see them do Dragonball complete, I know they wouldn't do Z though since AB groupe own that here now, and it would cost them way too much, plus they're hardly a well known anime distributor in the UK.

Raki · Post by **Raki** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:11 pm

Toei could always not give the option to renew the license.

MagicBox · Post by **MagicBox** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:32 pm

The Time Traveller wrote:I was emailed about it from someone at Funimation the other day, they said they have no idea when they're able to get the rights, but they're looking forward to releasing Dragonball in its entirety, and since it's not as action packed as Dragonball Z there might be no need to wide-screen it.

FUNi actually told you that they might not widescreen it? That's the best news I've heard in a while. Maybe that means the upcoming GT sets will be left alone as well. Here's hoping.

Tanooki Kuribo · Post by **Tanooki Kuribo** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:05 pm

I think Lionsgate has the (distribution) rights to the first 13 episodes of DragonBall and that first movie, indefinitely... or somthiung like that.

Super Sonic · Post by **Super Sonic** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:09 pm

The funny thing that guy from Funi said, was it wasn't like Lionsgate was using or making new ones. Just being an evil empire holding onto them and laughing.