Rebellion acquire Egmont's archive of strips and characters

[tony ingram]

Tim "Kelly's Eye" has of course appeared in 2000AD as the Universal Soldier. That, as with the 2000AD Action Special (which featured grim'n'gritty versions of the Steel Claw, Sid's Snake etc. - many hated it, I loved it), was published without consent from the copyright holders (IPC) as Egmont were unaware they didn't already own the characters!

The Universal Soldier was a separate character, not Tim Kelly, though Kelly did resurface in his strip in 2000 AD, as well as (briefly) in a revived Kelly's Eye strip.

[comixminx]

I have recently been thinking that this might mean DCT are encouraged to make more of their back issues by reprinting collected stories and the like. Anyone else optimistic about this or am I being ridiculous?

[philcom55]

The fact that they recently sent a 'cease and desist' request to a site that was reproducing full issues of Spellbound, etc. suggests that they could be thinking along those lines - though I suspect they might have some kind of online service in mind rather than printed albums or specials.

[Phoenix]

The fact that they recently sent a 'cease and desist' request to a site that was reproducing full issues of Spellbound, etc. suggests that they could be thinking along those lines

How did you find that out, Phil?

[philcom55]

The site was Mag@Zone, and I think they recently admitted they'd had to remove a number of their uploaded comics because of copyright issues with DC Thomson. To be honest I was surprised they were permitted to keep them up for as long as they did. You can still see the original comic index, but I think the actual links have now been disabled by Facebook.

http://mark1814.wixsite.com/mag-a-zone/comic-index

[Phoenix]

Thanks for that information, Phil. Apparently, even if Thomsons hadn't wielded the big stick I would have had to sign up to Facebook before being allowed to read any of the story papers displayed. I consider Facebook to be a no-go area so that's a bridge too far for me I'm afraid.

[comixminx]

The site was Mag@Zone, and I think they recently admitted they'd had to remove a number of their uploaded comics because of copyright issues with DC Thomson. To be honest I was surprised they were permitted to keep them up for as long as they did. You can still see the original comic index, but I think the actual links have now been disabled by Facebook.

http://mark1814.wixsite.com/mag-a-zone/comic-index

They seem to have taken down their IPC titles too as I noticed their scanned Misty comics had gone. I assumed Rebellion had got onto them but maybe it was more general...

[Lew Stringer]

The site was Mag@Zone, and I think they recently admitted they'd had to remove a number of their uploaded comics because of copyright issues with DC Thomson. To be honest I was surprised they were permitted to keep them up for as long as they did. You can still see the original comic index, but I think the actual links have now been disabled by Facebook.

http://mark1814.wixsite.com/mag-a-zone/comic-index

They seem to have taken down their IPC titles too as I noticed their scanned Misty comics had gone. I assumed Rebellion had got onto them but maybe it was more general...

I've heard that publishers are getting their act together and dealing with piracy, and not before time.

[big bad bri]

none of the links work as it all goes to my fb acc,i suppose the site is still useful for cover images though.

[Louis Crandell]

The site was Mag@Zone, and I think they recently admitted they'd had to remove a number of their uploaded comics because of copyright issues with DC Thomson. To be honest I was surprised they were permitted to keep them up for as long as they did. You can still see the original comic index, but I think the actual links have now been disabled by Facebook.

http://mark1814.wixsite.com/mag-a-zone/comic-index

They seem to have taken down their IPC titles too as I noticed their scanned Misty comics had gone. I assumed Rebellion had got onto them but maybe it was more general...

From comments made on Facebook, I think that what happened is that only one company out of the many whose copyright was being infringed complained, but Facebook deleted the entire account. Easier for them than trying to pick through things figuring out which (if any) entries were legal

[colcool007]

The fact that they recently sent a 'cease and desist' request to a site that was reproducing full issues of Spellbound, etc. suggests that they could be thinking along those lines - though I suspect they might have some kind of online service in mind rather than printed albums or specials.

One of the scanning sites had received a C&D from D C Thomson so the comics they had scanned and hosted were taken down. These were all defunct titles and none had been published in the last 15 years. The reason we know was the hoster had said that they had received the C&D and rather than cause any further issues, they had taken down that part of their site.

[Lew Stringer]

Thanks for that information, Phil. Apparently, even if Thomsons hadn't wielded the big stick I would have had to sign up to Facebook before being allowed to read any of the story papers displayed. I consider Facebook to be a no-go area so that's a bridge too far for me I'm afraid.

I think the site just redirects to Facebook now they've deleted their illegal scans. Personally, I'd prefer to read updates of new comics from my Facebook friends than support piracy any day.

The deletion of such sites should be celebrated, not mourned.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

I just wish that DCT would scan some of their archive and release it for sale on disc collection [or on a pay-to-view site] which would discourage piracy.

Sorry to keep banging on about this, I would love a whole collection of 60s BEANOS on disc, ideally from Thomsons' themselves--they could even add in scans from orginal artwork they own, something the pirates can't compete with.


I would be happy to pay for such material legitimately.

But sadly no such opportunities exist as far as I know.

[Lew Stringer]

I just wish that DCT would scan some of their archive and release it for sale on disc collection [or on a pay-to-view site] which would discourage piracy.

Sorry to keep banging on about this, I would love a whole collection of 60s BEANOS on disc, ideally from Thomsons' themselves--they could even add in scans from orginal artwork they own, something the pirates can't compete with.


I would be happy to pay for such material legitimately.

But sadly no such opportunities exist as far as I know.

The fact that something you want isn't available legally isn't an excuse to obtain it illegally I'm afraid.

[Louis Crandell]

Thanks for that information, Phil. Apparently, even if Thomsons hadn't wielded the big stick I would have had to sign up to Facebook before being allowed to read any of the story papers displayed. I consider Facebook to be a no-go area so that's a bridge too far for me I'm afraid.

I think the site just redirects to Facebook now they've deleted their illegal scans. Personally, I'd prefer to read updates of new comics from my Facebook friends than support piracy any day.

The deletion of such sites should be celebrated, not mourned.

Agreed. The proliferation of such sites actually works against the chance of getting proper reprint volumes. I know some insist "but it helps prove to the companies that there is a demand for the material" but all it really proves is there is a demand for it when it is free, and that potentially some of the people who might have paid for reprints now won't because they've already got a free copy. Sadly, the downloading won't ever stop, because too many people find ways to justify it to themselves.