Whats the deal with Goku™?

Tanooki Kuribo · Post by **Tanooki Kuribo** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:31 pm

Why is it that in every Dragonball item in America it has to say "™" next to there name. I do understand WHY its there but why isn't it on every Japanese item as well.

Me and my friends even have some kind of retarded joke going when we play Budokai, we would say somthing like "Oh, Iam going to be Goku Tee Emm" or "Piccolo Tee Emm is going to kick Hurcle R's Ass"

Post by **VegettoEX** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:56 pm

Tanooki Kuribo wrote: but why isn't it on every Japanese item as well.

Umm... because Japan doesn't follow the same exact copyright/trademark laws and practices as the US...?

*PINHEAD* · Post by ***PINHEAD*** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:44 pm

Copyright laws in America. It's just the way things are.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Tue May 24, 2005 3:52 pm

I don't understand how they can trademark Goku's name anyway. Or does the trademark refer to his image rather than his name.

Aurek · Post by **Aurek** » Tue May 24, 2005 4:00 pm

Copyright laws in America. It's just the way things are.

Flippin ridiculous

John Pannozzi · Post by **John Pannozzi** » Tue May 24, 2005 8:42 pm

I just wanna know how they can trademark the word "Cell".

Gamingdevil · Post by **Gamingdevil** » Wed May 25, 2005 1:46 am

good point

DBW · Post by **DBW** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:18 am

They trademark the character. It doesn't mean that the name can never be used again by another person until the end of time, it's just basic protection.

If someone makes a toy of a character that looks like Cell and is named Cell, then FUNimation has good grounds for a lawsuit. If Virgin Mobile releases a new cell phone plan, there obviously wouldn't be much of a lawsuit there. If a new cartoon is made with a character named Cell, and FUNimation sued, a judge would obviously have to look at the facts and determine if this new cartoon character is actually infringing on the Dragonball character or not. Of course, parody is the exception to all of this, since it's moreso considered to be an homage than theft.

On the other hand you have Japan, where the doujinshi roam free. Their laws on this matter are obviously just more relaxed than in the US.

B-kun · Post by **B-kun** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:44 am

Tell me about it. CLAMP, the world-famous female mangaka group, started off as a doujinshi group.

Ppk01 · Post by **Ppk01** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:06 pm

Actually, it's Goku®.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

Super Sonic · Post by **Super Sonic** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:22 pm

Basically it's kind of similar to how Funimation released "Detective Conan" as "Case Closed". They didn't want to risk any possible legal actions.

Kanzenshuu

Whats the deal with Goku™?

Whats the deal with Goku™?

Re: Whats the deal with Goku™?

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