I would also say that 3rd parties are legal whereas KOs are not.
Let's consider for one second the fashion industry (not that I'm a massive fan of it or anything)
Chanel make a new handbag which costs $5,000
A - A High Street retailer then 'homages' the designer bag by creating their own design which is similar enough to reflect the designer bag, but has enough differences (think it has to be 5?) that any claim by Chanel would not stand up in court.
B - At the same time, a Chinese manufacturer gets hold of the original handbag, and makes a facsimilie which may or may not be of inferior quality (the quality part is irrelevant) They even state that it
is a Chanel handbag. If they are crafty, they may rearrange a letter or two.
Which of these two does Chanel go after, and which do they leave alone? That's right, B. Because Chanel have no case, or not a strong enough case, to prosecute the High Street designer. Legally, the guys homaging the original are doing nothing wrong. They are staying the right side of the law, even if you may question the moral validity of doing such.
Why do you think that Hasbro have thrown their toys out of the pram by refusing to attend conventions where 3rd parties are present? (Botcon etc) Because
that is all they can do. What happened to KOtoys? Shut down, what happens to KO Transformers sold on eBay? The listings are either removed, or the seller is quickly shut down. Why? Because KOs are
illegal. They are illegal because they are
stealing a product, and profiting (way above what Hasbro would in most cases) from it.
Those of you short-sighted enough to rub your hands in glee because a KO is made available of a cool 3rd party product are fools - I'm sorry - you are
. People who download music, films and video games are just as short sighted. We are rapidly approaching a tipping point, where there are not enough paying customers to cover costs. This is beacause peopel think nothing of theft these days, which is a shame. This is why already creativity in those spheres has plateaud, with small labels being swallowed up by the larger ones, who throw their profits back into bankable sequels and sure things.
Maybe those of you who are
sooo excited by a 30-50% saving on Giant will only see the damage when there are no forthcoming KOs of great new 3rd Party products,
because there will be no more 3rd party products. Hasbro can absorb this **** forever, they will always make cash from their target demographic. But if you want to hammer the nails into the coffin of Maketoys, then all power to ya. Just don't bitch when CHMS has to resort to KOing FOC Bruticus because that's about the coolest thing left.
PM ME PLEASE!
