The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a free trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific to eliminate tariffs, remove other non-tariff barriers, and synchronize regulations. Potent consequences for lower environmental regulations and higher medicine costs have been very controversial. Its copyright agreements' potential effect on creative fan endeavors like doujinshi and cosplay has also been a concern, with manga author Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina!, Negima, UQ Holder!) being among the prominent voices raising the issue.

'Otaku' on alert: Why cosplay fans fear the TPP - Nikkei Asian Review http://t.co/47Z0hc6ugt ★日経新聞の英文メディア記事。最近、津田さんのお腹が凄い出てる。

— 赤松健 (@KenAkamatsu) July 27, 2015

"Stronger regulations could deprive the entire comic world of its engine," said Ken Akamatsu as he delivered a petition with more than 2,000 signatures, including contributions from professional manga artists, actors and comedians, to the Japanese government.

On the need to allow for derivative works, Akamatsu, a former doujinshi artist himself, explained "Every artist starts out by copying the work of pros. I myself improved greatly by doing so." 

Last year, he argued "I, too, used to be a dojinshi creator. The larger a pool of amateurs there is, the better professional artists’ skills get.”

The main fear among these fans is that the TPP could make copyright violations prosecutable and punishable by law even if the copyright holder does not file a criminal complaint. Japanese laws allow for punishment up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to 10 million yen ($80,600).

Akamatsu (second from left) delivering petition

via Nikkei Asian Review

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Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.