Save Miku was a fan-led project that sprung up in late 2011 after it was revealed that YouTube Vocaloid videos were being removed from YouTube.

History

In late January 2012, it became apparent that Vocaloid-themed YouTube videos were being removed from YouTube accounts. While this happens legitimately already and both Crypton Future Media and Sony Entertainment are known to protect their labels from time to time, the removals were found to be done by claims from groups that have no copyright claim over the songs in the first place. This illegal removal not only targeted YouTube reprinters but Japanese producers as well and hit all Vocaloids.^[1]

CFM reported they knows about the claims and are collecting information.^[2] Since then, Project "Save Miku" has sprung up in the Japanese and overseas fandom.

It is unknown who was making the false claims, however, the offender(s) behind this used the name of a legit company to claim copyright on the videos and have them removed. This company had no connections with the claims and did not have any copyright claims on the songs, nor were they involved with products of Vocaloids nature to begin with.

The original Japanese wikia that began this project eventually closed during the heavy attack of spam to other related sites by following suspects: spammers, anti-Korean activists, anti-Japan activists and fake Japanese who is acting as Japanese to make bad impressions to Japan. However, their [Save Miku Overseas Wiki] remained as a one of original main Save Miku Wiki using English and Japanese.^[3] The original Japanese Wiki and English Wiki are under re-construction very slowly as backup Websites.^[4]

Save Miku Objectives

The message regarding objectives of SAVE MIKU was released in February 2012. But, it seems it was not well known in overseas and others. Therefore, they started to prepare a re-announcement in May 2012. ^[5]

It was found that Japanese producers do not like their works to be reprinted without permission.^[6] Thus, in order to fit the opinion of the original producers of the Vocaloid videos, the objective of the "Save Miku" Project was changed in 3 days in January 2012. Since there was much overreaction with regards to the removal of YouTube videos, "Save Miku" took a different approach to the situation. They tried to conduct an investigation first in order to better understand what was going on. One of the goals of "Save Miku" is "Collaboration on Vocaloid work between Japan and the West".^[7]

The Save Miku Project took the initiative to check most of the Vocaloid videos on YouTube everyday. By checking the videos everyday they hope to aid in the prevention of the removal of Vocaloid videos on YouTube caused by the false copyright claims. Meanwhile, many other issues are being addressed slowly. In order to protect videos, they started to inform and study how to prevent or reduce unwanted copying of Vocaloid videos.

During the investigation it was found that the Japanese to English translations of Vocaloid videos were inaccurate. This became a problem since the intended meaning of the original work is lost within an incorrect meaning resulting from poor translation. Several Japanese producers asked for a correction in the translations found on YouTube, however, their requests were ignored. "Save Miku" took the time to figure out whether or not the removal of Vocaloid videos and the mis-translated videos that exist on YouTube have any correlation with one another.

It was discovered that the original producer of the video has the right to change the mis-translated lyrics. However, not every YouTube video has the permission to be translated. It may be better to find a method of communication between the original producer and the translator. All the information regarding the "Save Miku" campaign can be found of the Save Miku Overseas Wiki even still under construction. (^[8])

Fan Reactions

The "Save Miku" campaign led to many different rumors caused by fans of Hatsune Miku and Vocaloid fans in general. Several fans believed and claimed that the offenders were Koreans because K-Pop lost its appeal due to the increasing popularity of Hatsune Miku. It also led to jokes that referenced the Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and his supposed "envy" towards Hatsune Miku. These rumors and jokes were caused by people not understanding the full situation.

In order to ease the fans over the reaction that resulted from the "Save Miku" campaign, jrharbort of Mikufan.com assured his readers that the removal of YouTube videos is no longer a problem. They also asked to spread the following information: "The problem with video deletions had been solved by Google and Crypton over two months ago, and they even confirmed that the Koreans had nothing to do with it."^[9]

As proof he stated that "Scott from Mikustar.com and myself have both sent messages to Crypton to ask for confirmation on the matter. We have both received the same response via email: 'Regarding SAVE MIKU Movement, the deletion problem has been almost solved and we have nothing to announce so far'". ^[10]

However, several questions regarding the articles of Mikufan.com and Mikustar.com were raised including the Vocaloid community in Japan. It was well known that Crypton and Google knew the problem from nearly the beginning in Japan.^[11] Therefore, some person asked Crypton directly to confirm the information of articles of Mikufan.com and Mikustar.com. It was found that one person in Crypton wrote a very confusing short e-mail to MikuFan.com.^[12][13]

The problem of video deletion is basically between the person who posted video on YouTube and the person who applied for deletion of the video. Crypton has never become involved in it at all. Also Google and Youtube just delete videos on the basis of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and they do not become responsible for solving this problem proactively.^[14]

It was found that large numbers of Vocaloid videos in YouTube are copied and re-uploaded without permission from original Producers. Save Miku started to inform to get permission even after the secondary use including translation, and started to help getting permission from original Producers in Nico Nico Douga. It's became some question whether Crypton and Google helped to protect videos copied and re-uploaded without permission. Therefore, accuracy of the initial article from MikuFan.com ^[15] became the major question.^[16]

There were minor discussion between Mikufan.com and the Save Miku Overseas Wiki. There was some additional information from Mikufan.com.^[17] It seems they are starting to discuss more detail to get the correct information because their direction seem to be similar in order to calm down others.^[18]

Current status of Vocaloid Videos in YouTube

It was relatively well known in Japanese Vocaloid fandom, large number/most of Vocaloid videos in YouTube were copied and re-uploaded without permission from Nico Nico Douga/Video for several years. This is similar to MMD videos in Nico Nico Douga. It has been under long term discussion, original Producer may be appreciating the secondary work of MMD author. If the original Producer want to contact or delete the video of secondary user in Nico Nico Douga, it is relatively possible due to smaller community compaired to YouTube.^[19][20]

It was also found by Japanese fandom that it is very difficult to view or use Nico Nico Douga for international users. It was found that original Nico Nico Video/Douga videos may not be possible to view as a blog part （embedded) in international websites. These information may be feedbacked to the Japanese fandom to solve in the future.^[21]

SAVE MIKU estimated that the most/large number (70~80%) of Vocaloid videos in YouTube may be under the condition without permission from the original Producer.^[22] It was discovered that some kind of semi-professional people or heavy Vocaloid fans may be copying from Nico Nico Douga and re-uploading to YouTube account with mass scales such as over 100-500 videos without permission form original Producers.

SAVE MIKU found that Crypton, Google, YouTube and Nico Nico Douga may not officially able to help videos which are copied and re-uploaded without permission from original Producer. It may violate the regular user condition of YouTube and Nico Nico Video/Douga account to download without permission according to Crypton, ^[23]., ^[24], ^[25]. Crypton is gently suggesting to study more regarding this issue as everyone can imagie. ^[26]

In order to solve the problems and get permission of Vocaloid videos in YouTube, SAVE MIKU started to investigate and study. Currently, not many people may be interested in this issue in Japan even it may be very important issue for most of the Vocaloid videos in YouTube, If this issue is important for international user, it may better to express the opinion.

Currently, not many Producers are interested in solving the situation of the deleted video in YouTube. It was found that most of the deleted video are major hit videos of excellent Producers. Normal Producer is highly below that level, such as 100-5000 views in Nico Nico Video/Douga. Therefore, normal Producer may not interested in taking time for the Producers of deleted hit songs　^[27].

SAVE MIKU also tried to protect "Chain of Creation” which was usually initiated in Nico NIco Douga and Piapro of Crypton. SAVE MIKU started to check the condition of most of Vocaloid videos in YouTube to protect from mysterious deletion including copied videos ^[28].

Save Miku started to inform to get permission even after the secondary use including English translation, and started to help getting permission from original Producers in Nico Nico Video.^[29], ^[30].

How to Get Permission from Original Producer for Secondary Use

During the investigation and studying, SAVE MIKU found clue to solve the problems. Many Producers seems expecting some kind of contact even after secondary use of the video. It seems better to say hi, if someone is using for secondary use. It may also fine to confirm in order to check English translation of lyric^[31]. If secondary user contact properly, it seems highly possible to get the permission from the original Producer according to the report from Piapro and Crypton, regarding Japanese Vocaloid fandom in 2010 ^[32].

SAVE MIKU started to help getting permission from the original Producers. SAVE MIKU slowly started to make "Permission Guidelines for Secondary Use" to collect guidlines from original Producers after contacting individually. ^[33]. DaifukuP is started to make guideline Wiki for secondary use in order to summarize data of Producers. ^[34] SAVE MIKU also started to make"Format of e-mail to Japanese creators for apply for secondary use of the works" to help writing a very short letter in Japanese and English.^[35]

How to view the original Vocaloid videos in Nico Nico Douga/Video in English

NicoNico Video/Douga just started to open English site in July 2011, the day of Mikunopolis at AX2011.
In their Nico Nico.com, English user may not able to view the comment of original Japanese site. Points (pts.) may reflect the total page views in Japanese site.. The English account is different from original Japanese site ^[36].

NicoNico.com also started to show several channel including Vocaloid channel. In their Anime channel, it may possible to view original anime of TV since Nico Nico Video/Douga has been started to sponsoring TV animation ^[37].
Vocaloids Channel may have some kind of similarity to MikuBook in YouTube.
It may possible to find the original creation and maybe able to contact to original Producer if you have an account^[38].

Within the Vocaloid channel, ranking channel is opened including Total ranking, Monthly ranking and Daily ranking. ^[39]. When you open the USER INFO of the original Vocaloid works, It may possible to find the URL info of the Original Producer such as Blog and some additional information. Nico Nico.com opened the Facebook channel ^[40].Nico Nico.com also opened the Vocaloid channel of Facebook to inform and view original Vocaloid works in Nico Nico Douga/Video. The embedding system is already working for Facebook ^[41].

References

1. ↑ http://vocaloid.blog120.fc2.com
2. ↑ J-Cast News 海外の初音ミク動画「次々削除」　だれの嫌がらせなのかと大騒ぎに」 (Official comment from Crypton Future Media Inc. regarding deletion problems. Google) Feb.2, 2012
3. ↑ Save Miku Overseas Wiki
4. ↑ Save Miku Append Wiki
5. ↑ New Objective+Message
6. ↑ vocaloidotaku.net. "Copyright Attacks on Vocaloid Videos: English Wiki Created. Uploaders Please Speak Up". n.d. 16 May 2012
7. ↑ New Objective+Message
8. ↑ Main Menu with Japanese and English, Save Miku Overseas Wiki
9. ↑ Mikufan.com. "Stop Posting “Save Miku” Topics and Videos". April 16 2012
10. ↑ Mikufan.com. "A “Save Miku” Response From Crypton: “The Problem is Almost Solved”". 23 April 2012.
11. ↑ J-Cast News 海外の初音ミク動画「次々削除」　だれの嫌がらせなのかと大騒ぎに」 (Official comment from Crypton Future Media Inc. regarding deletion problems. Google) Feb.2, 2012
12. ↑ MikuFan.com "A message to the Save Miku Wikia". May 26,2012
13. ↑ Save Miku Overseas Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?". (Under construction)
14. ↑ Save Miku Overseas Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?". (Under construction)
15. ↑ Mikufan.com. "Stop Posting “Save Miku” Topics and Videos". April 16 2012
16. ↑ Save Miku Overseas Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?" (Under construction)
17. ↑ MikuFan.com "A message to the Save Miku Wikia". May 26, 2012
18. ↑ New Objective+Message
19. ↑ Nico Nico.com (English Site).
20. ↑ Nico Nico Video/Douga.
21. ↑ Summary Save Miku Oversea Wiki ". (Under construction)
22. ↑ ”Daily Check　of　Deleted　Video”　Save Miku Oversea Wiki ".
23. ↑ YouTube.
24. ↑ Nico Nico.com (English Site).
25. ↑ Nico Nico Video/Douga.
26. ↑ Save Miku Oversea Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?". (Under construction)
27. ↑ "Vocaloid界の厳しい現実を数字で見る動画" (Competition of Original Producer in Vocaloid workｓ.)”.
28. ↑ ”Daily Check　of　Deleted　Video”　Save Miku Oversea Wiki ".
29. ↑ Save Miku Oversea Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?". (Under construction)
30. ↑ Summary Save Miku Oversea Wiki ". (Under construction)
31. ↑ Save Miku Overseas Wiki "Is information from MikuFan.com correct and accurate about Save Miku?". (Under construction)
32. ↑ Piapro and Crypton Future Media Inc., "survey to original Producer by Crypton and Piapro (クリエイターの皆様にご協力いただきアンケートを実施しました", September 24, 2010
33. ↑ Vocaloid fans communication assistance "Guidelines for secondary use from original Producers". , March 2012-Under construction
34. ↑ Daifuku-P, guideline wiki for secondary use to summarize data of Producers, "VOCALOID二次創作ガイドラインまとめ @ ウィキ". , February 2012-Under construction
35. ↑ Vocaloid fans communication assistance, "Format of e-mail to Japanese creators for apply for secondary use of the works" (February 2012-Under construction)
36. ↑ Nico Nico.com, July 2011
37. ↑ Channel of Nico Nico.com, 2011
38. ↑ Vocaloids Channel of Nico Nico.com, 2011
39. ↑ Various Ranking, Nico Nico.com 2011
40. ↑ Facebook of Nico Nico.com, 2011
41. ↑ Vocaloids world of Nico Nico.com, 2011

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