The Energon Pub

Didn't we just get a pretty decent Powerglide "minibot" in the DOTM Cyberverse toy line? I know I did.

whacko wrote:Didn't we just get a pretty decent Powerglide "minibot" in the DOTM Cyberverse toy line? I know I did.

Decent, yes. Fantastic like this is? No, not by a long shot.

Pertaining to the ethics involved here, I'm torn. I respect and appreciate the hard work that went into the original figures and design. However, it is unrealistic for me to pursue those originals, the prices are quite high. I will be getting these figures for my own collection and I won't hesitate to do so. I am a little disheartened to hear these designs aren't endorsed though. I'm not entitled to these but damn do I want them and the money is mine to spend. I do wish things were more on the up and up here. Well, as far as 3rd parties can be, I suppose.

there's some wonderfully morally grey lines being drawn here in regards to a 3rd party company ripping off a 3rd party (or talented customiser? does Jizai get a break because he does really small runs of what appears to be really quality stuff?) design based upon yet another company's officially owned intellectual property. it's even more confusing than the whole iGear MP Coneheads because AFAIK the original customs of those were one-offs not sold in multiples. of course, regardless of these stepping on any other previous creator's work, they're messing with Hasbro, and I fully expect legal action to be taken with these after seeing the packaging.

of course, i'm staying well out of it. quite fancy a decent Wheelie, but this one doesn't look "Wild Boy Of Quintesson" enough for me. He needs a Sharkticon tooth necklace and a more Chuck D attitude to rhyming as opposed to Barney.

Stormrider wrote:I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

Do they have permission to do the WSTs too or have the rights to those designs already expire? How does that work?

craggy wrote:there's some wonderfully morally grey lines being drawn here in regards to a 3rd party company ripping off a 3rd party (or talented customiser? does Jizai get a break because he does really small runs of what appears to be really quality stuff?) design based upon yet another company's officially owned intellectual property. it's even more confusing than the whole iGear MP Coneheads because AFAIK the original customs of those were one-offs not sold in multiples. of course, regardless of these stepping on any other previous creator's work, they're messing with Hasbro, and I fully expect legal action to be taken with these after seeing the packaging.

One of the facts you seem to be missing is that Jizai product, to date, has been officialy licensed by Takara for sale for the one day event these are offered at. These newer items, we can safely assume, are not. I highly doubt legal action will be taken against these. Though 3rd party groups are getting so much more bold in what they dare. It might be time to stop poking the bear or at least slow down.

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

Do they have permission to do the WSTs too or have the rights to those designs already expire? How does that work?

I don't think Jizaitoys has permission for the WST. The only Transformers they have made include - Wheelie, Cyclonus, and Powerglide. Ironhide and Octance were slated but not completed.

So how it works - Takara offers a 1-day license for 3rd party creators to sell in a limited quantity (around 40-70) garage kits at the Wonderfest only. The creators have to submit their ideas in advance and wait for approval. Takara is pretty strict about their licenses. If the 3rd party tries to sell them outside of the parameters of the license, then they risk losing the license the next time around.

Well, you'd think if HatTak had a problem with them doing mini KOs, they probably wouldn't allow them a legit license for the other stuff. But what's funny is they look for a license for an origial design, but just go ahead and do the mini KOs. Seems a little backwards...

Kibble wrote:Well, you'd think if HatTak had a problem with them doing mini KOs, they probably wouldn't allow them a legit license for the other stuff. But what's funny is they look for a license for an origial design, but just go ahead and do the mini KOs. Seems a little backwards...

Their Nano-scle (WST) figures are also sold under the TakaraTomy licence.
They made the following:
Springer
Ultra Magnus
Arcee (?)
Predaking
Sixshot

A post on ACtoys has revealed the instruction sheet for the X Transbot TB01 Glider/Air Robot. This should give you a little more insight if you want to add this 3rd party product to your collection.

After seeing this, I will be picking up this version. The other one just had a huge head. (That's what she said)

I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

I'll stick to the MakeToys version..

Autobot032 wrote:

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

If the Henkei and G1 KOs didn't get KOToys shut down, HasTak won't act on this.

I'm sticking with the Maketoys version, myself......

Autobot032 wrote:

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

Did you notice the bottom left corner "Copyright" but instead of a circled "C" it's "X"

That's like the Chinese company that named itself "Made in USA" so it could stamp its logo legitimately on its products and fool people into thinking the product was made in the U.S. I think this Powerglide is a rip off from Jizaitoys. Too bad.

For those who might be interested, the Wheelie instructions have also popped up on ACToys:

Depending on cost, Powerglide will be having a good year for me. That Wheelie is so bought.

These guys just aren't doing it for me for some reason. Looks like I'll be going with MakeToy or iGear for my Minibots.

amcgrath929 wrote:These guys just aren't doing it for me for some reason. Looks like I'll be going with MakeToy or iGear for my Minibots.

Agreed. These guys just ain't my style for whatever reason.

here's a size comparison with classics hot rod

There are pics of the final product over on TFW... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

kirbenvost wrote:There are pics of the final product over on TFSource... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

Where at on TFsource?

kirbenvost wrote:There are pics of the final product over on TFSource... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

woah, hold up, link por favor? call me retarded but i can't seem to track it down myself...

Sorry guys, I meant TFW, not TFSource...massive brain fart...

If we're allowed to link to there:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/x-transbots-wheelie-final-sample-images-173234/

If not, mods please delete...