If we think about this problem, we have to understand about what the fair use is. I have variously learned about copyright, and I think the most important thing is wether we(consumers) and producer don't have a bad influence each other.
In American copyright, fair use is defined at Article 107.
From http://www.copyright.gov/title17/circ92.pdf
107 Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include.
(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
See also http://web.mit.edu/seantek/www/papers/progress-columns.pdf if you want to know about fan activity.
(I already intorduced this thesis at Chronicles
It is true that activity(include legal and illegal) of anime fan in foreign country(most of them is America) cause the explosive growth of Japanese Animation. However all of fan activity is not always good for animation producer.
I think BAF closed heavenly music is a better choice. I agree to upload images for discussing, speaking, getting opinions more about animation, but I don't mind that uploading music isn't help the discussion of animation. In addition, I don't recommended for leaving the link of old bit torrent file. (Some files is animation or music that has already been released abroad.)
P.S.
You're already sure to have known that most Japanese don't upload many images on network or their personal site, but Japanese copyright isn't defined fair use, and it is more strict than American. I think the measures of Japan that protects all things only by one law cause the small-scale activity of Japanese anime fans, and changing their activity to underground atmosphere.
20-Nov-2006
20-Nov-2006