Animation · blog · Manga · Proxymité Japon ·

piapro

Piapro is a content sharing website. Piapro was created and is currently operated by Crypton Future Media, Inc. 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 growing popularity of Hatsune Miku and the increasing number of media featuring her. When theVocaloid software Hatsune Miku was released, content such as music and artwork had been re-uploaded without the original creator's consent. Crypton Future Media, Inc. believed this could be prevented. They worked to create a system to eliminate the gray area of intellectual property theft and hoped to provide creators with an official platform to distribute their content and receive the proper recognition they deserved. The service was created with features that allow its members to share media non-commercially with each other. Piapro also allows for the creation of collaborative works, which can then be uploaded to Nico Nico Douga publicly. Contrary to the intention of the service, some members consider it as a simple storage and communication platform.

Piapro allows the upload of songs, illustrations, texts, and 3D models. All uploaded works 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 to the website. Crypton Future Media Inc. holds the rights (PLC/Piapro Character License), and members can publish them in accordance with the character usage guidelines. Piapro also allows works to have links to the references used.

Piapro Character License (PCL)

The Piapro Character License legally authorizes the creation of fan works of Vocaloid characters. Despite the license's name, this permission also applies to non-members. However, Vocaloid character works cannot be used commercially or sold under this license. To commercially distribute works using Vocaloid characters, the distributor must request permission through the "Piapro Link" system.
For non-commercial use, the official character illustrations are licensed under the Creative Characters License (CCL) under CC BY-NC 3.0 (Display-Non-Profit 3.0). This is to meet the demand of fans outside of Japan, although the CCL is written entirely in Japanese in accordance with Japanese national law.

Website

Once users create an account, they can choose from options to download a song, artwork, text (such as a short Vocaloid-related novel), or a 3D model they've created. Unregistered users can browse the aforementioned options to see the latest art created by creators. With songs, anyone browsing the website can listen to a song in its entirety, and there are often links to download it (depending on the author's wishes). On all product pages, creators can leave comments and links to their other social media accounts, such as Twitter, to allow their fans to stay up-to-date on their work.

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

The website also includes general news about upcoming collaborations and CD releases from Crypton's own label. RELEASE MUSIC None

Since its inception, Piapro has seen over 100,000 songs, over a million artworks, and over 1,000 3D models uploaded to its site. The site has also allowed hundreds of artists to become household names within the community and use their art professionally.