Razorclaw0000 wrote:zodconvoy wrote:Does anyone else get the feeling that the Classics 3-Pack coming out a few months (hopefully) before the Protector might be Hasbro realizing the cross market sales? It seems like a mighty huge coincidence that they reissue a now 4 year old mold for no apparent reason at this time.
I don't think so at all. That three pack is to commemorate the movie, just like Takara's 2010 Campaign. It is a lucky break for those without a Rodimus mold, but Hasbro isn't going to do anything to work *with* a third party company. We're lucky they allow them to exist at all.
In all fairness, Zodconvoy isn't saying that Hasbro is actually working *
with* FansProject. And he might be onto something.
Sure, Hasbro could give FP the smackdown if they really, really wanted to, but instead, why not exploit what FP's doing? Obviously, their products are driving up a demand for Hasbro/TakaraTomy product, and if they "reissue" the figures, people will buy them.
Some collectors buy multiples for various reasons, which is even more money in their pockets.
If I was running Hasbro and I wasn't seeking legal action against them, I'd most certainly find a way to make the situation work in my favor. I'd rerelease figures by the boatload so people could buy them up.
Here's food for thought: If I were running Hasbro and I decided to crush iGear, FansProject, Impossible Toys, etc into the ground, I'd be vilified by the fan community for taking away one of their most precious resources. However, instead of going to that kind of trouble, taking a chance on spending way too much money in legal battles, and alienating the fans... what if I could make a quick buck out of the situation? That would work out better in the long run, for all involved.
Hasbro's more about making the money, rather than protecting their IP, otherwise they'd have done so long before this. Now, I'll admit, the bootlegs (G1) and the iGear stuff such as Faith Leader are definitely crossing the line, in terms of legal matters (I'm not looking at it from a moral standpoint, have to say that before someone comes out and says I'm a hypocrite) but obviously they're not as serious about protecting IP as they claimed, otherwise we'd have heard about FP and the like getting cease and desist letters, etc.
They'd be crazy not to cash in on this. Hasbro's not in secret backdoor dealings with FP and other 3rd parties, but them exploiting it is certainly feasible and not impossible.
To say it is, doesn't make it so.
NOTE: Realize that I am not a perfect Christian, nor do I profess to be. I apologize if anyone's ever offended by me, I'm not perfect. Don't hold my posts and opinions against other Christians.
