News
Google Drops Scanlation Site from Search Results
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
The Google website has removed a site with unauthorized, translated scans of dōjinshi from its search results due to a complaint that the scanlation site "contained child pornography." When a search query is run on Google for the scanlation site's name or domain, a notice at the bottom of the search results states that Google has removed some of the search results "in response to a legal request submitted to Google." Neither Google nor the Chilling Effects Clearinghouse legal resource gives information on who submitted the legal request. Google also reported the website to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an action that is required by U.S. federal law when an electronic communication service provider becomes aware of alleged child pornography.
In the United States under Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2256, the legal definition of child pornography does not apply to "drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings depicting minors or adults." However, the Protect Act of 2003 amended a separate section, Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1466A, to state that it is illegal to produce, distribute, receive or possess drawings or cartoons containing sexually explicit depictions of minors if it is also "obscene." This is the same section of law under which Christopher Handley was sentenced for possessing "obscene" manga in February.
According to the scanlation site, it is currently in discussion with Google to clear up the situation.
Source: tsurupeta.info via Icarus Publishing
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