No, Viz Media does not own Death Note. Instead, Viz Media holds the licensing and distribution rights for most Death Note media in North America. This includes the popular manga series and the anime adaptation. The exceptions to their licensing agreement are video games and soundtracks related to Death Note.
Initially, the Death Note anime episodes were available for download in North America via IGN before Viz Media secured the licensing rights for their broader release.
Understanding Licensing vs. Ownership
It's crucial to distinguish between owning an intellectual property (IP) and holding a license for its distribution.
- Ownership: The original creators, publishers, and production companies in Japan (such as Shueisha for the manga and Nippon Television/Madhouse for the anime) typically retain the core ownership of the Death Note intellectual property. This means they control the fundamental rights, creation, and global strategy for the series.
- Licensing and Distribution: Companies like Viz Media acquire licenses from these original owners. A license grants them the permission to translate, publish, market, and distribute the media within a specific geographic region (in this case, North America) for a set period. This allows them to bring the content to a local audience without owning the original copyright or the entire franchise.
The table below illustrates the different roles:
| Entity | Role Regarding Death Note in North America |
|---|---|
| Viz Media | Licenses and releases most media, including manga and anime episodes. |
| Original Japanese Creators/Publishers | Retain primary ownership and core intellectual property rights. |
Through licensing, Viz Media enables fans in North America to access official versions of the Death Note manga and anime, ensuring high-quality translations and proper distribution channels.
For more information on Viz Media's publications and licenses, you can visit their official website.
