With copies of Advent Children Complete surfacing on torrent websites, Square Enix has made an official announcement regarding the matter on their Japanese website. The following is a rough translation of the announcement.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
President: Yoichi Wada
April 21, 2009
The Blu-ray video quality version of “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete” was released on April 16th, 2009. Since it’s release Square Enix has taken measures to prevent and remove the illegal copies, such as monitoring, sending out letters, and other measures required to remove the media. As of today, multiple Internet video sites, have confirmed the deletion of all the files that were requested to be removed. Square Enix will continue to monitor the illegal uploading of “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete” and take action against those engaged in piracy in the film, including legal action, to ensure that those involved are held responsible.
Intellectual property rights are one of Square Enix’s most important resources. Our business is built on the support of everyone of its products and services to our fans. To ensure that we will be able to continue to meet the expectations of everyone of our fans, and to continue to provide high quality and exciting entertainment experiences, we must take decisive action against the malicious acts that infringe on our intellectual property rights.
※ Company name that is mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Square Enix
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wow. crackin down hard. Sometimes I wonder if Square has moved further away pleasing fans to being all about money
I don’t get these kinds of statements. They have to be able to cover the costs of production, pay their employess enough money to support their respective families, and then also have enough money to make more games and such. All about money? Please, with no money you’d have no FF.
i know. im not saying illegal downloading should be allowed, but this company has been milking the FF7 series to the bone and losing originality. They’re becoming more well known for their usual delays in series, selling out to mobile phone companies, handheld systems, Microsoft, and unfamiliar game consoles for the sake of making more $$$ rather than quality products.
so im just saying, its sad thinking back on when it was just Squaresoft, and they brought out classics like Final Fantasy series, Chrono trigger/cross, series, and older Star Ocean series, rather than the more mediocre JRPG’s they have been marketing on selling systems to boost sales
In the midst of it all, they are intent on monitoring every little trace of people who might possibly download and watch this movie. I’ve never seen a company do this so excessively – personally I dont see anything wrong with downloading and watching it to hold off until buying it
That’s the thing though. Many people who download will probably never buy the product, and many may actually use it to make money. Ever been to an Asian market or China? Pretty much almost everything is a bootleg, I can guarantee that. People making money off of torrented movies or movies that were filmed with a camera in a theater.
Also, Squaresoft merged with Enix because they were going broke. You have to keep economics in the picture here. They have to protect their interests, and they have to keep making money in order to survive. The kind of altruistic notions that people delude themselves with on art for the sake of art without profit cannot apply here. Again I say without the business aspect of it you would have NOTHING to enjoy.
In addition, SE isn’t the only or even most vigorous company out there when it comes to this topic. Heard about the Wolverine movie leak? Just check out Fox’s reaction to that whole mess. You probably only hear about SE more because you are a fan of their games.
And I for one enjoy the FF compilation. FFVII isn’t the only game in the world to have sequels/prequels and also is nowhere near to having the most. Why does it get so much attention on this matter?
Our business is built on the support of everyone of its products and services to our fans. To ensure that we will be able to continue to meet the expectations of everyone of our fans, and to continue to provide high quality & exciting entertainment experiences, we must take decisive action against the malicious acts that infringe on our intellectual property rights.
– They run a business, and they can’t continue to do so without something to sell & without making money from that product. It’s not them being a big evil corporation, it’s just them protecting their ability to continue making games, movies, etc.
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Good for them. Im sick of people pirating crap and then bashing the company relentlessly. Either buy the damn thing or you arent a true fan.
I understand what’s being said here, as well as agree that one should purchase the product, instead of relying on black market tactics. On that note, I wish Square Enix would stop spewing their products out for all these different and new technologies. Granted, I can understand that they have a deal with Sony, but at the same time – I find it a waste of money to have to buy a piece of equipment almost every time they come out with something I like because they will not diversify it’s range of playability. This is my one big gripe with Square Enix at this time; there’s no reason why ACC couldn’t also be released on DVD, or CC on PS2… 🙁
It’s called fostering the growth and development of new hardware. People won’t by PSPs or PS3s if there’s nothing good or memorable on them.
Why would they keep releasing things on old systems, if their intent is to make a profit? Eventually you either upgrade or get left behind. They have to support the newer systems and formats as a business.
I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of people that have downloaded the movie and frequent this site would’ve / have bought it regardlessly.
I think the main problem in this particular case – and in pretty much all cases of illegal downloads, especially of movies – is that they (i.e. the movie and entertianment industry at large) still cling on desperately to releasing stuff far later in other regions. I mean, Square is releasing ACC months after the original release in the States, whilst the original from Japan already has the English dubs and whatever. The few texts that would need to be translated could be done during production of the movie, so that wouldn’t be an excuse to delay the release in the States or Europe.
Same goes for other entertainment products. Also, €25 for a movie is steep.
exactly. $30? was the bundle with a demo a good enough excuse to sell this high? This is just a straight to DVD film, not to mention its only a small addon to a movie thats already been released 5 years ago…
And like you and i said, they keep finding these new technologies to sponser their games so you have to buy a new goddamn system for every game. Im not bashing the FF series, Its my favorite series (aside from FFX, X2), but more and more people are starting to see that this company is becoming bigger sellouts more than anything.
I think that one of the big reasons for delay in release has to do with Marketing.
You have to market something to each region & doing so for all at once could be overly expensive, whereas if you delay it slightly, you can rely on the funds made from one region’s release to market it better. Plus there’s all the red-tape, and crap you have to go through to release it. With the delay of a couple months, I think is MUCH better than they did with AC (6 months).
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Even if it is about money, all companies such as Square have their own copyright policy and digitally distributed movies is a form of copyright infringement. SQ isn’t going to leave an issue like this aside because it’s illegal.