piapro

Piapro is a content-sharing website. Piapro was created by Crypton Future Media, Inc. and is currently managed by them. The name Piapro is an abbreviation of the phrase peer production (ピアプロダクション piaprodacushon).

History

Piapro was created on December 3, 2007, as a platform to encourage the creation of consumer-generated media. This was a direct response to the rising popularity of Hatsune Miku and the increasing amount of media featuring her. When the Vocaloid software Hatsune Miku was first released, content such as music and artwork had been reported to be reuploaded without the consent of the original creator. Crypton Future Media, Inc. thought this could be prevented. They strived to make a system to eliminate the gray area of intellectual property theft and hoped to give creators an official platform to release their content and be given the proper reception they deserved. The service was created with features allowing for its members to share media non-commercially with each other. Piapro also allows for the creation of collaboration works, which then could be uploaded to Nico Nico Douga publicly. Contrary to the intention of the service, some members view it as a mere storage and communication platform.

Piapro allows for uploading of songs, illustrations, texts, and 3D models. All works uploaded must be original or the uploader must have the legal right to do so. Derivative works using licensed Vocaloid software such as Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len, and Megurine Luka can be uploaded on the website. Crypton Future Media Inc. owns the rights (PLC/Piapro Character Licence) and members can post under the character usage guideline. Piapro also allows for works to have links to references used.

Piapro Character Licence (PCL)

The Piapro Character Licence legally allows the creation of fan works of Vocaloid characters. Despite the name of the licence, permission also applies to non-members. However, Vocaloid character works cannot be used commercially or sold under this licence. To commercially release any works using Vocaloid characters, the distributor must request permission through the "Piapro Link" system.
For non-commerical use, a license is provided under CC BY-NC 3.0 (Display-Non-Profit 3.0) of the Creative Characters License (CCL) for official character illustrations. This is to meet the demand from fans outside of Japan, though the PCL is written entirely in Japanese in accordance with Japanese domestic law.

Website

Once users create an account, they are able to select from the options to upload a song, illustration, text (such as a short novel related to Vocaloid), or 3D model that they have created. Non-registered users are able to search through the aforementioned options to see the latest forms of art that creators have made. With songs, anyone who browses the website can play a song in its entire duration and there are often links for downloading it (depending on the author's wishes). On all of the product pages, creators can leave comments and links to their other social media accounts, such as Twitter, to allow their fans to keep up-to-date with their work.

There is also an application section of the site where creators can apply to get their work reproduced officially by Crypton Future Media for future Hatsune Miku/Vocaloid-related events. For instance, Piapro will advertise upcoming song contests where the winner will have their song featured in a future concert such as Magical Mirai, as well as released on its accompanying album. LIVE DAM, the karaoke development company, also offers music creators to have their song featured on the platform and give them national exposure.

The website also includes general news for upcoming collaborations and CD releases from Crypton's own label EXIT TUNES.

Since its creation, Piapro has seen more than 100,000 songs, well over 1,000,000 illustrations, and more than 1,000 3D models uploaded to their site. The site has also been the cause of hundreds of artists to become household names within the community and use their crafts professionally.

Links

Official Website
Character Guidelines
Wikipedia
Wikipedia - Crypton Future Media