The GSJ Bootleg Guide

[gsj_mods]

BEFORE YOU COMMENT - PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE GUIDE CAREFULLY!!!
Disclaimer: this guide does not say that all region 0 dvds are bootlegs!

It is against GSJ rules to sell bootlegs (illegal anime/manga/Japanese related goods). Sometimes, when you're new to the fandom, its difficult to spot them.

So here's a quick guide of things you should look out for.

Comments

[drkangelyahriel]

Adding to, if I may -
Amazon Japan is also a great way to check ISBN and other barcode numbers.
Nothing fancy about doing it either - just enter it in the search bar. The book matching the ISBN should be the only result.
Good for checking manga, art books, DVDs, etc.

[gsj_mods]

Thank you, I will add this to the guide.

[bishie_shop]

I've always wondered why the bootlegging rule is restricted to media. I'd like to see knock-off jewelry items banned as well. So many sellers advertise "Vivienne Westwood" jewelry that turns out to be 100% Hong Kong crap, and no one seems to care...

[gsj_mods]

Its not restricted to media per se, they are just easier to recognise because 1 - I am more familiar with them, and 2 - there are a lot of small boutique brands with clothing and fashion. But, if you do see any knockoff for major brands, please report it here and I'll request a takedown.

Thanks!

[anonymous]

Well, just wanted to tell you guys that there are plenty of region free DVDs released in Hong Kong which ARE official releases, just because it's region free doesn't always imply it's a bootleg. take a look at yesasia and you got dozens of official region free releases of anime and movies.

[gsj_mods]

We are aware of region free official Drama releases.

Please read the above carefully:

Under point #1:

Bootlegged anime/drama/movie DVDs are often region free (region 0/All region). This means that they can play on any DVD player and playstation.
There are of course exceptions - such as some of the early Manga Entertainment releases, and the Eastern Eye (Japanese movies) titles released by Madman Australia/New Zealand. Some official Asian films may also be all region. Please check with sites with good reputation e.g. Yes Asia.

[lemonyokan]

Hi ^^

I just wanted to note that it would be good to link to http://myfigurecollection.net/

It's a very good site with a database of figures, and if there are bootlegs found it's noted in the page with the figure.. and often times there are bootleg pictures. There are also clubs to join that give shop reviews where you can find out if they carry bootlegs.

[gsj_mods]

Thank you, I have updated the guide. Although, having had a look at the site, some of the 'recommended' items (anime merchandise) linking to Amazon marketplace looks like bootlegs so buyers beware.

[dieslolli]

This guide is very good. I appreciate the effort put into it to ensure legitmiate trading ensues.

I just wanted to point out one thing, YesAsia does not have a really good reputation and should not be used as a good example.

I bought multiple items from them back in 2002-5, and I have tried to sell those items on here before only to be told that they are bootlegs and have had to remove those items from my list.

I just wanted to point out this fact for the sake of the guide. Thank you.

[gsj_mods]

Hi,

Thank you for your message. Can you please clarify as to which items were pointed out as bootlegs? The above reference to YesAsia was for DVDs and CDs. To the best of my knowledge, they do not sell bootlegged DVDs and CDs.

[dieslolli]

I have since disposed of some of those items since I did not want to sell them to other people, but I know for certain one of the items (because I had been particularly attached to it) I had bought was a Dir en Grey Macabre CD special that came with a VCD of their music videos of that time period and before. I was young at the time and did not even understand what a VCD was or that it is normally associated with bootlegs.
It was one of the first items I ever purchased on YesAsia and they have since taken it off their website. Because it was from Yesasia, I never thought to question it's legitimacy and that's why I put it up for sale without truly checking the origins of the makers.

[kanawanuyume]

I had come across this same problem at Yesasia and have since stopped using their site. They would have the official goods as well as bootleg copies for MUCH (and I really mean a big difference) less. Definitely tricky enough to fool people who aren't sure what to look out for, unfortunately.