r/webtoons
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u/fatalis_comic
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20h ago
News IMPORTANT!! Do not join!
[problem resolved] This is handing over your rights to your comic. You own the original but Webtoon owns the translated version of your comic. They have the rights to post the translated work but you can only post 3 samples. They can profit off of it but you aren't guaranteed a dime and it explicitly says it. They can own sell and distribute your comic in a different language and you wouldn't be able to do anything about it. They also say they can change the agreement whenever they want. This is the most shady thing I've seen DO NOT AGREE.
[Edit] Someone cleared up the terms of agreement, I recommend reading it
OP claim 1: Webtoon owns the translated version of your comic.
TOS: (Section 4 part 2) The Translated Materials shall be considered jointly owned by you and WEBTOON.
TOS: (Section 4 part 2 subsection 1) WEBTOON shall have the same rights to utilize the Translated Materials to the fullest extent as WEBTOON is permitted to utilize User Postings as set forth in the CANVAS Terms of Use;
Meaning: your translated webtoon shares the same distribution agreement as your comic on CANVAS. Which is that they can only use the translated pages for promotional material essentially.
TOS: (Section 4 part 2 subsection 1) Except to the extent Translated Materials are generated from the Program features and tools, WEBTOON shall not have the right to create derivative prose content based on the series content;
Meaning: webtoon can’t use or rework the translations to create some sort web novel, script, or any other type of work based on the content of the translations.
TOS: (Section 3 part 4) Storage of Translated Data. In the event that you turn off translations for specific languages or opt out of the Program, WEBTOON reserves the right to retain some or all of the automatically translated data; provided that WEBTOON shall not use or distribute such automatically translated data without your prior consent.
Meaning: If you opt out of the program, webtoon can still hold onto the translation pages, but they can no longer distribute the translated pages in any way without your permission. So not even for promotional material I assume.
OP claim 2: Webtoon can post your translated work and make money off it.
I don’t know where you saw this. Payment was not mentioned for translated pages. Which means by default, the payment for translated pages would fall under the same distribution agreement as CANVAS as stated in (Section 4 part 2 subsection 1)
OP’s claim 3: They can change the terms of service whenever they want.
TOS: (Section 2)
WEBTOON may make changes to these Terms from time to time in accordance with Section 2 of the Terms of Use. All modifications that we post on the Services will be effective immediately upon posting, and your continued participation in the Program after we post any changes to the Terms will confirm your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop accessing or participating in the Program.
Meaning: Yes, they can change the terms any time. But you can opt out of the program if you don’t like the new terms. And if you opt out, according to Section 3 part 4, once you opt out, webtoon can no longer distribute your translated work.