Copyright Battle Between nHentai and PCR Distributing Intensifies
The legal dispute between the popular adult site nHentai and the California-based PCR Distributing has taken a new turn. nHentai filed for a protective order, claiming that PCR had granted written permission to use its content. Additionally, nHentai disclosed that PCR had even considered running paid ads on the platform.
In recent years, manga and anime have surged in global popularity. The adult counterpart of these formats, known as hentai, has similarly amassed millions of fans worldwide. However, not all users are willing to pay for this type of content, opting instead for free sites like nHentai.net, which recorded around 80 million visits in June alone.
Copyright Battle Between nHentai and PCR Distributing Intensifies
Copyright holders have expressed concerns over free platforms like nHentai. In August, PCR Distributing filed a formal lawsuit in a California federal court, accusing the site of sharing copyrighted materials without authorization. According to PCR, the platform hosts both commercial and third-party content without the necessary permissions.
PCR argues that nHentai cannot claim DMCA safe harbor protections, as the operators allegedly uploaded the infringing content themselves and ignored takedown notices.
Attempts to Identify nHentai Operators
To uncover the individuals behind nHentai, PCR requested early discovery, seeking subpoenas to obtain data from NameCheap, Cloudflare, and Lanoto Solutions. The requested information includes payment records, IP addresses, and email exchanges to trace the site’s operators.
nHentai’s Defense: Permission Was Granted
In its defense, nHentai opposed the early discovery request, citing privacy concerns and the potential exposure of sensitive financial information. The site also requested a protective order to prevent any personal data from being made public.
nHentai further revealed that PCR had granted written permission to use content from its J18 brand. Moreover, PCR allegedly discussed running paid ads on the platform to generate additional revenue from its explicit content. As part of its evidence, nHentai submitted emails in which PCR provided a list of more than 3,300 authorized links for sharing.
PCR Denies Authorization and Pursues Discovery
Despite nHentai’s claims, PCR maintains that the emails do not constitute a legal contract or permission to use the content. The company pointed out that it had issued DMCA takedown notices, which were ignored, prompting legal action.
The court has yet to rule on the early discovery motion, but the unfolding details suggest that this case will bring several intriguing developments in the coming months.
Fonte: Voce Sabia Anime