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Leecher

By definition, a leech or leecher is an individual who gains or benefits, usually deliberately, from others' information or efforts but refuse to offer anything in return, or only token offerings in an attempt to avoid being called a leech. The name derives from the leech, an animal which sucks blood and then tries to leave unnoticed. Other terms are used, such as freeloader, but leecher is the most common.

In fansubbing, especially digital fansubbing, fansub viewers are synonymously referred to as leechers -- individuals who download anime fansubs indiscriminately for free. The term has become so synonymous with the viewing audience that fansubbers and viewers alike have become desensitized to its derogatory connotations. Whereas traditional VHS fansub viewers were required to mail blank tapes and a small payment to the fansub distributor to cover shipping expenses (or to buy pre-copied tapes), viewers today can download fansub videos created by groups, on the Internet, through an IRC channel or through Bittorrent at no cost and for nothing in return.

Disregarding the cost of Internet access, virtually all individuals who download fansubs today are considered "leechers." The only exception to this would be fansubbers who download fansubs from other groups, as they are active contributors to fansubbing themselves and therefore are not considered leechers.