Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 35

Thread: Time to show off my new KO friends

  1. #11
    Join Date
    24th May 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    38,239

    Default

    That's okay. I know people have bought cheap fakes on purpose as a place-filler until they can afford or find the real thing, or could never afford something that rare (like the JP Headmaster Heads). It's just unfortunate that despite some people knowing they are fakes and are happy with that, there are a lot of people at collectors fairs, ebay and even conventions like BotCon, who don't disclose their fakeness, selling them off at prices close to legit figures.

    Quote Originally Posted by mentok27 View Post
    yes its in a grey area but since they dont use trademarks, patented moldings or direct IP violation as far as Im concerned these are legit organizations filling a very niche market and theres no problem with it.
    Don't worry. If Hasbro aren't interested in acting against fakes or unauthorised toys, it isn't my job to stick my neck out to prohibit any reference to them here. But I can make sure that newer fans (and older ones like me) don't get confused by seeing items in the Transformers sections that aren't actual Transformers-branded items (which the Global fansites do just to pad out their news pages - although these days they do note that they are not authorised toys, but in the beginning it was even confusing for me on some items).
    I just want new fans and members to find this place as being obvious enough with the actual Transformers content, and if they start getting into more creative elements, then they can venture into those other non-TFs sections.


    On a related note though, I do often see people claim that if it is a new mould and doesn't use the actual Transformers character name, then it should be legal... but the thing to remember is that if it copies the likeness of a current character enough for fans to recognise it or refer to it as that character (regardless of what it is named by the 3rd-party), the licensee or even the license-holder could claim that they are not getting royalties for that 3rd-party profiteering from those 'currently released' characters.
    Because at the moment, we have at least two current license-holders of Gen1 story content - IDW and Smash Factory. While both of those are selling product (comics & DVDs) of Gen1 characters, anyone other than Hasbro or TakaraTomy selling toys that homage those actual Gen1 characters, regardless of what they are called or look like, is not paying back a royalty for making profit off that currently used character.

    I'll put it this way - a new Batman movie is coming out next year, and Mattel gets the license to produce the toys. A 3rd-party designs and produces a more screen-accurate action figure and calls it "Nocturnal-guy". It doesn't use the Official name or Mattel's Mould, but it's a clear rip-off of a current character in the new movie and current comics just to make money. It uses the likeness of someone else's property for profit, without paying a commission, license or royalty to DC comics.

    Just because Hasbro doesn't try to stop these unauthorised toys of Transformers likenesses, doesn't mean it's legal. It's just that it (currently) isn't worth them chasing after the 3rd-party businesses.

    But like I said above, it isn't my job to be enforcing a legal position that Hasbro has no (current) interest in. If their position ever changed, only then would I re-evaluate this board's position on the matter.
    What people collect is up to them. There's probably even collector forums out there for 3rd-party items, but this one will remain committed to being a Transformers (branded) forum that allows for some non-TFs discussion in the non-TFs sections.

    (if there are any more questions or comments on this, I'll split this off into it's own topic, as it is deviating from content of the original topic)

  2. #12
    Decepticon Guest

    Default

    Im sure some of these people who are against KOs would have burnt copies of DVD movies around their house. Same thing. Anyway, whats wrong with a good quality KO? Should be praised me thinks.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    28th Dec 2007
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    14,762

    Default

    I don't like KOs that rip off official Hasbro molds but I don't mind unique 3rd party items that offer completely new and interesting designs.

    I know that 80+% of what Hasbro produces these days don't interest me at all and although I am fan of the 'Classics' lines, they can be too few at a time or released in too short windows per year to hold my interest.

    If it wasn't for the 3rd party companies filling in gaps in my 'Classics' collection that Hasbro is unlikely to do or improving ('upgrading') an otherwise lackluster official release into something that I would be happy to have in my collection, I know that I would have lost interest in collecting modern figures a long time ago.

    The 3rd party figures and upgrades are keeping me in the game, otherwise I probably would have lost interest and stopped buying altogether including much of the official stuff.
    Last edited by kup; 20th August 2011 at 04:02 PM.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    12th Jan 2011
    Location
    Busselton
    Posts
    138

    Default

    I know this is off topic from KO's and should be continued in the general Unauthorized area but it happening here organically and I want to mention something.

    Speaking of fun classics 3rd party updates have you got fansprojects G3 trailer? It's less obviously awesome from pictures but in hand it's totally the beat thing around. city commander/protector, the various headrobots upgrades or even full 3rd party figs have nothing on how pure fun this thing is...

    Quote Originally Posted by kup View Post
    I don't like KOs that rip off official Hasbro molds but I don't mind unique 3rd party items that offer completely new and interesting designs.

    I know that 80+% of what Hasbro produces these days don't interest me at all and although I a fan of the 'Classics' lines, they can be too few at a time or released in too short windows per year to hold my interest.

    If it wasn't for the 3rd party companies filling in gaps in my 'Classics' collection that Hasbro is unlikely to do or improving ('upgrading') an otherwise lackluster official release into something that I would be happy to have in my collection, I know that I would have lost interest in collecting modern figures a long time ago.

    The 3rd party figures and upgrades are keeping me in the game, otherwise I probably would have lost interest and stopped buying altogether including much of the official stuff.
    WANTS
    BotCon Dreadwind. Classics Mirage.[B]

  5. #15
    Join Date
    27th Jan 2008
    Location
    Gold Coast, Queensland
    Posts
    3,419

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by griffin View Post
    Third party toys and KOs shouldn't be in the Transformers sections of the board (which includes the *TFs* acquisitions section), but it sometimes it takes too much effort to move posts or chase up people to edit their posts if something non-TF is included.
    Fair enough then. I shall try to be more mindful of this in the future.

    When the first few 3rd party items were being produced, we had a lot of members, not just new fans, assuming they were actual Transformers products, causing a lot of confusion. That's why those are kept out of the Transformers sections.
    I guess we sometimes forget, being die-hard collectors, that not everyone follows transformer-related news 24/7 as if we were addicted (I could stop any time, I swear!)

    While an obvious knock-off (eg some of these garish rainmaker seekers!) would probably stand out, the third party "upgrades" or "add-ons" (I'm thinking of the masterpiece trailer ko, before takara released one, or the classics prime trailers, for example) might be easily confused with a has/tak product, especially since many takara ones have english on the box.
    On the lookout for MISB Headmaster Highbrow, Takara or Hasbro. I'm sure I could make you a sweet deal!

  6. #16
    Join Date
    2nd Jan 2008
    Location
    Quakers Hill
    Posts
    11,185

    Default

    The purple ones are good for army building . For KOs they even come with vacuum metalized parts ei? Bet they cost a bundle even if they are KOs. I think ive seen a yellow one back in Phils and it costs around $20-$25 so I didnt get one coz Im not paying that price for it. The light green one looks cheap though heheheheh
    Wanted AM partner Vanguard, Myclones Dirge, G1 Victory Leo, e-hobby Dark scream ( the black version), e-hobby Magnificus
    Parts- AM partner Basher-side guns, G1 Actionmaster Elite Windmill's blades[I][B]

  7. #17
    Join Date
    12th Jan 2011
    Location
    Busselton
    Posts
    138

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by liegeprime View Post
    The purple ones are good for army building . For KOs they even come with vacuum metalized parts ei? Bet they cost a bundle even if they are KOs. I think ive seen a yellow one back in Phils and it costs around $20-$25 so I didnt get one coz Im not paying that price for it. The light green one looks cheap though heheheheh
    The green one rocks!!! Him and his rainmaker buddies seem a little more rushed than the purple seekers or sunstorm... The paint apps are much thinner and the base plastic shows through much more, also parts of the accessories weren't primed before painting so the paint is flaking off.... So far it looks like just the triggers on the missile launchers but I guess what ever else is from that parts sprue would be at risk? They do look very basic in those low quality pics of mine but I love em still! Might have to touch up the paints myself though....
    WANTS
    BotCon Dreadwind. Classics Mirage.[B]

  8. #18
    Decepticon Guest

    Default

    Sorry but those 3 rainmakers need to be on a Decepticon float at the next Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GRAS!

  9. #19
    Join Date
    12th Jan 2011
    Location
    Busselton
    Posts
    138

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Decepticon View Post
    Sorry but those 3 rainmakers need to be on a Decepticon float at the next Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GRAS!
    Bah!!

    going away next week and just placed another KO order so I'll have a parcel inbound when i get home... course I forgot to click EMS post so rather than 1-2 weeks shipping itll be 2-5 which defeats the whole purpose of why i ordered just now..... oh well...
    WANTS
    BotCon Dreadwind. Classics Mirage.[B]

  10. #20
    Join Date
    8th Mar 2010
    Location
    Central Coast
    Posts
    1,898

    Default

    I dont ever use EMS and I almost always get things in about 1 week. Sometimes its faster to get something from Hong Kong than Aus

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •