Masterpiece MP-20 speculation (from JP Toy Show)

[Magnus]

I dunno about Bumblebee. I'm more inclined to think it's Jazz - it would be in keeping or more 'consistent' with the current releases of Autobot cars. If so, I'm wondering if TT also managed to get licencing rights from Martini Racing for the car's livery.

[MayzaPrime]

I forgot about at Goldbug retool!

[tinyJazz]

I dunno about Bumblebee. I'm more inclined to think it's Jazz - it would be in keeping or more 'consistent' with the current releases of Autobot cars. If so, I'm wondering if TT also managed to get licencing rights from Martini Racing for the car's livery.

That's something I've been wondering too. Would they need a licence from Martini for the MP? Did they need a licence for the TRU/Encore reissue decos?
Although, if they're sticking with the trend of cartoon accurate they could just throw on a blue stripe. Which would be a shame, because the martini stripes are really sharp, and they'd be missing the accents on the wheel-wells and the doors.

[Sinnertwin]

Speaking of G1 vehicles and racing.
Takara. Make the others happen.

[Stug]

Would they need a licence from Martini for the MP?

This is an interesting point and also goes to a more general question I have with licensing as has been discussed here. I'm also a scale modeller and the way licensing agreements are discussed here differs from that for scale models which started emerging I guess about 10 years ago.

Here, if I’m reading correctly, it’s implied that a license from a manufacturer extends to all their products and those of their subsidiaries (i.e. a VW license extends to Porsche, a licence to do a Datsun Fairlady implies they can do a Nissan Onebox). However in the scale world, a model manufacturer must secure a licence to reproduce the IP for each and every model. For example if Tamiya makes a P-51D Mustang, they have to pay Boeing (who now own it) a flat rate to use it and a percentage of the sale price for each kit produced (I’d seen that quoted as being between 3 and 10% depending on the IP owner). If Tamiya then produce a kit of another Boeing product – an F/A-18D or 747 or even a P-51B (which only differs in the fuselage shape to the D) – they have to obtain a new licence to use that IP. Of course, if it’s a 747, depending on the livery, yes they also have to obtain a licence from any airlines. I remember discussing with one local, aftermarket decal manufacturer at a local show that he had to obtain licences from Qantas and even the RAAF (to be able to use the air force roundels – however I don’t recall the RAAF imposing any licensing fees on him). There were also other airlines that didn’t really care and saw it as free marketing. The larger model manufacturers also seem to align with their national carriers which probably gets them some break on licensing and/or fees (i.e. Hasegawa almost exclusively does JAL or ANA, Revell AG does Lufthansa and a few other European/Airbus affiliated airlines – or they just do the manufacturer’s demonstration liveries which they probably buy with the aircraft IP). Interestingly, this may explain why there was no licence (that I'm aware of) for the seeker mould; it's probably argued that these are based on the F-15J which is a Mitsubishi product and not considered a Boeing...

So would they need a licence from Martini? ... depends on Martini but I assume they’d at least have to ask. (I don’t think the old “ii” at the end satisfactorily removes the need for permissions these days as the livery would be deemed representative and recognisable especially paired with the car).

So then my query is in relation to licensing with individual car models – is it a case here that a manufacturer extends permissions over all their products to TT or is that just an assumption as that would be very different to the scale modelling situation? (Or have TT made statements that they are seeking and only proceeding if they have whole of range assurances?) Just asking should anyone know to satisfy my own curiosity...

(Sorry, that got a bit long winded and don't mean to hijack the thread )

[Cat]

I dunno about Bumblebee. I'm more inclined to think it's Jazz - it would be in keeping or more 'consistent' with the current releases of Autobot cars. If so, I'm wondering if TT also managed to get licencing rights from Martini Racing for the car's livery.

They've skated by for over a decade with just changing out 'Martinii' to 'Meister' and 'Agent Meister' on the book, Commemorative, and Encore reissues.

I think it depends on what unique modifications were done by Martini that are visible. For the general deco, not counting the name callouts.

If it's just the deco, I think there's enough wiggle room to claim it as not needing those rights.

It would also depend on the contracts between the car company and racing team. Was the car supplied to them, etc?


Will people accept a Masterpiece with non-racing brand markings ala Meister?

Most probably won't even notice until its pointed out. Then again, most people were just happy to be able to buy a reissue Jazz. Some figured Reprolabels would do as a fix if it really bothered them.

Stug, to partially answer you, or at least clarify why people are taking this way, as in one license providing access to all subsidiaries: It depends on the individual contract. Eg Ferrari's master toy license is with Mattel.

The reason people are talking about VW and Porsche as one, is because the parent company issued their no-war decree across all subsidiaries. We know this because in the Alternators days, they were knocked back for both VW and Porsche sections, by Volkswagen.

And because getting one, and doing a good job, can open doors for TT/Hasbro, to their other models and subsidiaries.

The Dodge license started with RID, for example. That initially neutral (probably tense, possibly hostile) and rocky start lead directly to the closer relationship for Alternators a few years later.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I'm not sure they'd be too fussed about getting every last decal correct... take this real life smokescreen that has many more and different decals compared to the MP toy:




My money's on Bumblebee, as that's bound to be the one with the most sales potential. I hope if i'm right that they get to Jazz eventually though, he's my most wanted!

[Magnus]

Good call on that Datsun, Kurdt. It would be more 'realistic' to reproduce the Electramotive car, but not 'screen accurate'.

Since TT were going for licensed reproductions, I guess I was hoping for a 'full-on' reproduction of the livery from the 1976 Mugello car, since licensed reproductions of race cars have accurate sponsor logos.

[GoktimusPrime]

MP is more about making the toy look like the cartoon rather than real life. Binaltech was definitely more into reality based alt modes. BT Smokescreen was a pretty darn accurate scale replica of the Subaru WRC team cars.

http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/imag...mokescreen.gif
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1601-12.jpg

[Tober]

If VW have indeed come to the party, Jazz, Stepper and perhaps a Bumble and Cliff two-pack would be veeery welcome.

Hmmm... Cliffjumper was a Porsche 924.

Looking forward to seeing Takara tackle that one.