Kodansha Forum

Word on the AstroNerdBoy blog (via MangaBlog) is that Kodansha has reportedly issued a cease and desist order to Manga Helpers, a scanlation-reading site, ordering them to remove all "raw scans" of Kodansha titles. The AstroNerdBoy report (the only I can find on the matter at this time) refers only to raws, but Manga Helpers has apparently taken down both raws AND scanlations.

ANB elects not to chastise scanners, but seems to think that the biggest problem is the scans coming out early (prior to their release in Japan, that is), rather than the actual piracy itself. Of course, one must remember that in Japan, the cheap "phonebook" mangabon don't always operate at a huge profit margin, existing to some extent to sell tankobon. ANB does, however, beg fans to try and practice "a little common sense and common courtesy" to Japanese publishers by not scanning the chapters so damn early.

Honestly, I don't want to get preachy, but it does seem like "common courtesy" would also include not distributing someone else's work to others for free...just sayin'.

Unfortunately, like all forms of online piracy, this will have little effect on their problem.  The content is going to be distributed whether they like it or not.  If people want something online, they'll find it. (eventually)

I like being able to read a manga series online. It doesn't stop me from buying the mangas when they are released in the US. Reading online gets me hooked ona  series and I look forward to the manga.