How does this:

Quote Originally Posted by STL View Post
I don't think that being a replica changes the landscape on this issue. Fact is you are still also potentially depriving of Hasbro/Takara an opportunity down the line. Would they be now keen to release a armoured Ultra Magnus? Or a new Buster Prime with the guns if a cheaper custom set is available rather than buying the same figure all over? Or the custom Grimlock crown set which is now in direct competition with the Takara exclusive? You are depriving the rightful owner of their property rights whether or not they've done it yet. Once you produce it, it removes the opportunity for them or puts them in competition with something based completely on their IP. This impacts their sales. Heck though it doesn't even come down to whether it competes. Simple fact is that the infringement exists. That cannot be justified irrespective of the position. It's like saying to someone, youve got to much spare land you're doing nothing with. I'm going to build my pool onto your land onto the part you've never used

You couldn't tolerate that. You can't tolerate this just b/c it works for you.

The logic just isn't sound.
...disagree with what you were responding to:

Originally Posted by griffin
People purchasing a fan-made/KO figure (especially if it is cheaper or is an almost exact replica of the real thing) are less likely to purchase the real thing, and thus negatively impacts Hasbro/Takara sales.

Not to mention that Replica out-of-release figures (that don't directly impact on sales), irritates fans/collectors of real TFs products, who can no longer purchase an item with the piece of mind that it isn't a fake. It can also indirectly impacts on legitimate sales (albeit a negligible amount), by the occasional newbie/kid/parent who gets stung by a counterfeit, and gets turned off the whole franchise/fandom.
I was pointing out that Replicas, even of past figures, impacts the bottom line of the Brand owners. Even if it is of a lesser amount with the Replica past figures. We know about the controversy of the Gen1 Constructicons - I think the new movie has improved the chances of a reissue, but we would have had one ages ago (for Takara to profit from and generate more reissues, and maybe even more combiner reissues), if it weren't for Replica Constructicons. The additional point I was making here is the (rare) occasion that has a potential long-term customer turned away from the Brand after being disappointed or upset over getting Replica figure (of any era) that they didn't know was a Replica when buying it.