FCC rips-off "Doraemon" (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Jacobson]

The FCC's "Kidzone" website features a character called "Broadband" that looks very similar to Doraemon, a popular character from Japanese anime and manga. The owners of Doraemon aren't happy about this. I think their complaint is justified. (But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.)

Here are links to the articles where I read about this:
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=3&id=323433
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=130000

 

[ThomasC]

It's definitely a ripoff.

 

[Aaron Silverman]

I disagree. It's similar, but it's not *that* similar.

 

[Steve Felix]

Put me down under "ripoff." What are the differences? The FCC character adds ears, a shirt, and thumbs, none of which are consequential. Of course, I'd never heard of either of these characters before.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

On an unrelated note, Michael Powell is a $%@*!

And why the hell does the FCC need a kids zone?

 

[Rob T]

because they're supposedly protecting the kids, I guess.

 

[Jeff Jacobson]

I forgot to include some links to pictures of the REAL Doraemon in my original post (for those of you who are unfamiliar with the character).

Here are some Doraemon sites that have pictures of the character:
http://dora-world.com/
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/doraemon/

 

[MatthewLouwrens]

After looking at the pictures (and thanks for the links to the Doraemon sites), I'm not sure. Sure, there are a few vague similarities, but not enough to suggest a copy - at least not to me.

 

[Ike]

Apparently that's obscene.

 

[Benson R]

I dont know, looks like 2 slightly similar fat cats. Maybe the creator of Garfield could sue both of them.

 

[Jeff Jacobson]

But neither of them look like Garfield. Also, according to this fan site, "Doraemon was created in 1969-70 by Fujimoto Hiroshi and Motoo Abiko." (Garfield was created in 1978.)