Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

News Credits: 3 · by **DISCHARGE** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:22 pm

CommanderHazar wrote:
I've got several versions of the Lion team, but the Vehicle team has been almost impossible to find a version of. It's nice to see that finally changing.

Looks like I spoke too soon. I just got am email saying that my preorder has been cancelled, and the listing removed. BBTS is doing so to avoid legal problems.

Weird. What are the legal issues?

by **CommanderHazar** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:00 pm

DISCHARGE wrote:
CommanderHazar wrote:
I've got several versions of the Lion team, but the Vehicle team has been almost impossible to find a version of. It's nice to see that finally changing.

Looks like I spoke too soon. I just got am email saying that my preorder has been cancelled, and the listing removed. BBTS is doing so to avoid legal problems.

Weird. What are the legal issues?

Apparently the manufacturer no longer has the rights to manufacture Voltron toys. As such, those with the rights to Vehicle Voltron are cracking down, trying to prevent sales.

And just to head off any questions about marketing it under the Dairugger XV name, they apparently don't have the rights to that either.

If I can find the email I got from BBTS again, I'll post it.

News Credits: 12 · by **robofreak** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:06 am

I'm going to assume that Mattel has Vehicle Voltron.

If they are currently doing Lion Force. It's possible, Vehicle Voltron is next on the list of MattyCollector figures.

Unfortunate that this happened, but to be expected if they don't have the rights to the figure.

by **Andrius** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:47 am

So now we know that BBTS (and probably a number of other retailers) won't be selling this item... but have we confirmed that it won't be made?

by **CommanderHazar** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:05 pm

Okay, as promised, here's the email I received:

Hi - Today we received the following information from IPAssure Brand Protection Services LLC - a law firm who works with companies who own Intellectual Property rights.

(Begin Quote)

I represent Classic Media LLC and its affiliated companies (hereinafter "Classic Media") with respect to certain intellectual property enforcement matters. Classic Media is the owner of numerous trademarks and copyrights related to its business. In addition, Classic Media has the right to manage and license the VOLTRON intellectual property, and also has the right to conduct enforcement efforts on behalf of the owners of the VOLTRON intellectual property.

It has recently come to my client's attention that you are offering a VOLTRON Vehicle for pre-order sale, which is unlicensed given that Miracle Productions no longer has the right to manufacture products relating to VOLTRON. As such, my client demands that you immediately cease taking pre-orders for this product and remove the listing from www.bigbadtoystore.com

Please confirm by return email that you have removed the listing. Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me by email or at the phone number listed below. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.

The demands made herein are made without prejudice to my client's rights and claims, all of which are expressly reserved herein.

(End Quote)

Sadly, we will be removing this item from our site and cancelling all preorders. We do not wish to engage in any legal wrangling with Classic Media LLC or IP Assure. I offered to attempt to obtain an license so we could bring these in an officially licensed fashion, but IP Assure was not interested in pursuing.

Again - sorry for the bad news on this item - it is out of our control and we would most certainly be sued if we continued down this path.

Sincerely,
Joel
www.bigbadtoystore.com

As for whether it won't be made, I don't know. I only know that at least two retailers have pulled the listing, and I cannot find any retailers listing it anymore.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:50 pm

This totally sux ass! :BANG_HEAD:

Hopefully as a result of this crap they'll put out Vehicle Voltron after Lion force Voltron..."sigh". Hopefully it won't be to long. :VEHI:

by **kelvinkei** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:18 am

Oh, i find a store is selling in ebay. Anyone bought from them before ? I would like try to take this VV there.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Sat Aug 25, 2012 1:45 pm

Okay so now we have this which I discovered by chance. I wonder if BBTS will try to add this to their store if arrangements haven't already been made. It too looks great and I hope nothing comes in the way of this being ready to buy... :PRAY:

.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-order-Mirac ... _552wt_932

by **kelvinkei** » Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:11 am

After I bid , the ebay post is forced to be removed.

I asked the man from toyercity. He said the licensor forced ebay to close their post...wooo. That's why BBTS cannot post on web yet as ebay is not allowed too

News Credits: 1235 · by **LOST Cybertronian** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:55 pm

Robotkingdom just added a preorder

http://robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/ ... =us&CatID=

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:19 pm

The die-cast content level is too high. I'm definitely not interested now. I'm a plastic guy, through and through.

by **Andrius** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:48 pm

Autobot032 wrote:The die-cast content level is too high. I'm definitely not interested now. I'm a plastic guy, through and through.

I'm pretty sure I've never heard that complaint before, in three decades of collecting Transformers. Any special reason why?

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:29 am

Andrius wrote:
Autobot032 wrote:The die-cast content level is too high. I'm definitely not interested now. I'm a plastic guy, through and through.

I'm pretty sure I've never heard that complaint before, in three decades of collecting Transformers. Any special reason why?

Oh, I'm not the only collector/fan who doesn't like die-cast. Paint chipping, for one. (It's ugly when it goes bad.) Balance issues. Weighs a ton, making display in some cases difficult.

I don't mind metal for skeletons, such as Masterpiece Starscream, but when it's the outer shell, or in this case, almost all of it... No thanks.

by **Aiden456** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:00 pm

Big Bad Toy Store canceled my pre-order on the "50% die-cast" Vehicle Voltron from Miracle Productions. They sent this quote from a killjoy lawyer letter that was sent to them, which I will edit for length and the meaty parts..."I represent Classic Media LLC and its affiliated companies ... Classic Media has the right to manage and license the VOLTRON intellectual property, and also has the right to conduct enforcement efforts ... you are offering a VOLTRON Vehicle for pre-order sale, which is unlicensed given that Miracle Productions no longer has the right to manufacture products relating to VOLTRON. As such, my client demands that you immediately cease taking pre-orders for this product and remove the listing from www.bigbadtoystore.com"

so...there's that.