I am pleased to announce that Ryuukishi07 has responded to our e-mails and that he does indeed support our translation.
Edit: I had hoped that this would be clear from reading the contents of the e-mail, but it seems that some people have misunderstood. While Ryuukishi07 is encouraging us to continue translating, this group and our patch have no official relationship with 07th-expansion.
Here is a translated copy of his response. Very, very minor spoilers for Episode 4.
Spoiler for Translated E-mail:
I am Ryuukishi07 of 07th Expansion.
Happy New Year.
Thank you for your e-mail.
I did not think that our "Umineko no Naku Koro ni" would be played even by all of you in foreign countries, and I am very surprised.
Also, I am deeply moved by the passion which drove you to translate a tale that long into English.
Thank you for loving "Umineko no Naku Koro ni" so much!
If by your English translation patch, English-speaking people can also enjoy this work, it would make me very pleased.
I believe I will warmly watch over your actions hereafter.
And I would appreciate it if you would continue to enjoy "Umineko no Naku Koro ni".
This is a bit of a digression.
I have known of your website, “THE WITCH HUNT”, for a short while.
I knew that you were carrying out an enthusiastic translation, and was very delighted.
Actually, in the new work that was only recently published, "Umineko no Naku Koro ni EP4 Alliance of the Golden Witch", there is a scene where a cultured college professor challenging the Legend of the Rokkenjima Witch calls himself a "Witch Hunter".
We borrowed this name out of respect for the name of your website, “THE WITCH HUNT”.
Please, I would appreciate it if you would tell this to everyone involved with your website.
Eastern and Western world-views mix together,
a world-view where reality and illusions are mixed together.
"Umineko no Naku Koro ni"
From the position as the writer, I also wish to enjoy it with everyone as I carry out my writing in the future.
Thank you very much for this e-mail.
I will try even harder so that I can continue to deliver this work to all of you!