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The person running the panel needs to be VERY VERY VERY VERY informed and the information has to be legit and correct, otherwise it could cause more harm than help in the end.

Yes. Absolutely. The person running the panel will need to get the right people on the panel and get a moderator that can add insight and then let the experts show and tell. With the right panelists, a solid moderator and audience participation -- I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be a great panel.

Regarding a fan-sub forum, I'd like to take a stab at a list of the types of panelist that should attend:
*Distributors - like Viz (based in SF), Funimation, etc.
*fan sub networks - AnimeSuki, Subwire, Crunchyroll, (2/3 are local) etc.
*torrent clients - BitTorrent, Azureus (both local)
*well known fan-subbers? (perhaps ones that practice a tight ethical code)
*Notable industry journalists

A diverse panel would be nothing if not interesting -- and hopefully civil and professional. I also wouldn't want the panelists representing the industry to feel that it wasn't balanced -- the moderator would have to be extremely knowledgeable and professional.

Clawmaster,
Really good, intelligent questions. You make a great point about the difference between the Japanese market and the US market. The Japanese market is still doing OK, the Otaku market is strong and it is really the last bastion of profitability for the Japanese firms that produce the anime. Beneath the surface, however, there is tangible fear that what is happening in the U.S. and other regions (like Europe) may spread to Japan.

Crisis or not?
In the U.S. DVD sales are the largest revenue generator at present and they are sinking rapidly. When your primary source of revenue drops significantly, and there isn't another source to offset that loss, then yes, that's a major issue for a company's bottom line. Merchandising is another revenue stream, and though this may actually be growing, (and TV licensing royalties may be growing as well), from what I've heard, it doesn't come close to making up for DVD sales.

The question going forward is, how do anime companies adjust to the fall in US DVD sales? What role will the internet play -- will it be a place where anime companies can't generate revenue, or will it be the next big revenue stream?

To me, that's a very interesting topic. What do you think?

Hi,
I think it would be terrific to combine the great strengths of our location (Silicon Valley) and anime and try to get some major anime distributors together to discuss the impact of the Internet on anime (fan subs, DVD sales drop, new online-only series).

As many of us know, the anime industry is in a major crisis. As I've been told personally by companies based both in the US and Japan, US DVD sales have "Flat-lined." It's a very real concern for the people who create the anime that you love whether or not they will have the money to keep the lights on. We've seen Geneon (a top 3 US distributor) close their US headquarters and all but cease US operations. You want great series, well, some of those are in real danger of never being produced if there isn't enough money to pay the talent.

I'm not suggesting a doom and gloom panel, rather a constructive way for business people involved in the licensing and distribution of anime to discuss the issue in an open forum where fans can ask questions (and, yes, tough questions) about what's happening and what the future may hold.

This is THE issue in anime in 2008. It would be a shame for San Jose (the heart of Silicon Valley) not to take a leadership position in getting people to the table for some panels related to the impact and future of online anime.

For those of you who haven't read the watershed editorial from ANN's founder, Justin Sevakis, I'd highly recommend it.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/2007-11-25

Some starter ideas (PLEEEASE ADD TO THIS :))
How have fan-subs affected anime sales in the US?
What are the major licensors l(Toei, ADV, TMS, Bandia, Funimation, Viz, etc.) doing to offer anime online?
Anime life after the DVD. -- What does that look like?

Let's think big San Jose and make an impact on the industry. ;D