I agree with Tempest's analogy about the current situation being a sort of "Wild-wild-west" atmosphere.
It is my humble opinion that eventually, at leas in the US, the
DCMA is going to come into play just like it did with Napster.
As Tempest pointed out, CR might be anime's version of the Napster situation.
As far as the international aspect is concerned the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Bernes Treaty could possibly be used by Japanese anime companies to force fansubbers outside of the US to conform to whatever new standards may be forthcoming (if any).
As was already said on this thread, the whole atmosphere of fansubbing and piracy is going to change and the "Outlaws" will be pushed to the way side as the legitamite companies enforce their legal rights to protect their intellectual properties.
That's my take on the situation anyway.
KT
