The Energon Pub

JRS Toyworld posted the following information on Allspark about MP Megatron's importation into the U.S. It appears that more information will be forth coming this weekend.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24739

QUOTE(JRS Toyworld @ Feb 23 2007, 03:56 PM)

As for importing, things are changing by the minute and it doesn't look good for having large shipments of unmodified versions making it through customs. According to my informations, Hasbro themselves and the box graphics are the major factors.

I should have an announcement ready to post here over the weekend that will make alot of people happy and others not so happy about the future of a different version of Masterpiece MP-5 Megatron that will be released later this year according to both vendors I deal with in Japan.

If you read between the lines you probably can figure it out.

Have fun with the speculation.

*Hands out hasblo stickers*

I hope that the end of March gets here soon, and the faster they ship them out, the quicker I get mine before all customs areas are alerted and you see MP megatron wanted posters hanging up in Airports, shipping docks, and Border stations.. This is getting kind of rediculous!! Anyone think this is the McCarthy era or what?? Is is UnAmerican to Own a Toy Megatron? Yet you can own a real Gun that really kills people...??WTF?

This world is unfair and at times stupid. So If I get my MP Megatron unmodified, then its unfair to the Government people or Toy watch dogs, and thats fair to me, dig?

Man...I blam the dumb kids in this country. Thanks ALOT, u little jerks.

I've heard this once before and still can't figure out a way how Hasbro can do this. It just isn't their right to do such a thing - not meaning it's not right, we all know it isn't but the legal factors in such a determination are odd.

I supose if it were true Hasbro would have to divulge import distributor information to customs to inspect all shipments coming from whichever or all importers but doesn't something like that strain their relationship with the importers and with Takara/TOMY themselves?

If this stuff is getting rejected at the ports (which I doubt will happen), then all those customers must either be given a full refund or must wait several more months for their order, and either of those will lead to wide-scale complaints by fans and resellers here in the states.

Like I said, it just doesn't sound like something Hasbro can actually do themselves, but I wouldn't put it past them to try just so they can potentially further their own possible future sales if they release it themselves. And besides, I don't mind if it comes with an orange cap so I'll be getting mine either way.

WhiteNoise wrote:I've heard this once before and still can't figure out a way how Hasbro can do this. It just isn't their right to do such a thing - not meaning it's not right, we all know it isn't but the legal factors in such a determination are odd.

I supose if it were true Hasbro would have to divulge import distributor information to customs to inspect all shipments coming from whichever or all importers but doesn't something like that strain their relationship with the importers and with Takara/TOMY themselves?

If this stuff is getting rejected at the ports (which I doubt will happen), then all those customers must either be given a full refund or must wait several more months for their order, and either of those will lead to wide-scale complaints by fans and resellers here in the states.

Like I said, it just doesn't sound like something Hasbro can actually do themselves, but I wouldn't put it past them to try just so they can potentially further their own possible future sales if they release it themselves. And besides, I don't mind if it comes with an orange cap so I'll be getting mine either way.

I beleve they can I have seen at toy shows where dealers have had to remove Godzilla stuff from their table because Toho studios made them (They usually get a warning the second time the confiscate with law enforcement) claiming they are protecting thier American licencse holders (Also Ban-dai put on their Godzilla toys "not for sale out of Japan").
Hasbro has already cracked down years ago during the Pokemon craze I remeber seeing the Hasbro people with lawyers & Law enforcement gathering up the Imported Pokemon stuff all in the name of protecting their license. Hasbro owns Transformers they could tomorrow send cease & disist orders to all online retailers to force them to stop selling Any import Transformers. some would say they can't but it is kinda hard to sell things when you can't post a picture of it or mention it's name & don't think they would'nt be monitoritng the sites they would. [/i]

starting to feel like i'm going to have to break out my conceal and carry license just to get my flipping toy.

Gutter Bunny wrote:starting to feel like i'm going to have to break out my conceal and carry license just to get my flipping toy.

Sure does, doesn't it?

That's very interesting, tmthor. I didn't know that. Well, it's not like these figure won't still get imported through 3rd-party resellers and through Ebay. Something like this just makes me despise Hasbro all that much more.

I for one am calling BS on this one. These types of rumors, theories, and speculation always pop up prior to the release of just about any highly anticipated movie or product. The fact is that people don't know, so they try to reason based upon what they do know the outcome of whatever is being discussed and people then latch onto this as an official statement.

If Hasbro was really concerned about Takara impeeding upon their US license wouldn't they try and put a stop to the Takara re-issues that were imported at the same time Hasbro was trying to sell the Commemorative Series? The same could be said for the Binaltech versus the Alternators line or MP-01 and MP-04 versus their 20th Anniversary Prime. I don't see Hasbro suddenly trying to make an example out of Takara with this figure now.

The major concern here is with the Alt mode of Megatron himself and the legality of importing him and, is the case of some retailers, the moral decison to sell a realistic toy gun without a bright orange safety cap. I don't really forsee the import of the figure as a problem considering all the TFC-06's that have been imported and resold by retailers in the US, and in gun mode no less. This item is still readily available and as far as I know, there have been no incidents.

Why would Hasbro step in within weeks of the release and suddenly disapprove? They have known about this product for some time and if they were going to do something about it they would have started sending cease and desist letters to retailers notifying them of the legal issue they would face if they attempted to import and sell this figure. It will be virtually impossible for Hasbro to stop all retailers from receiving this item now.

Until I hear something official from someone directly involved, whether it be Hasbro, Takara, or the store I ordered it from notifying me that they cannot get the figure for me, I'll be expecting my un-moddified MP-05 to arrive in a few weeks. Any third party claiming they have inside information but can't release details or otherwise cannot produce documentation that this figure will be prevented from being imported should be written off as rumor.

Forgice me as toy import laws are not something I know much about, but can a company really prevent another company, especially one it's got close ties with, from attempting to sell it's product in other countries? It's one thing having the government doing it, but a 'friendly company'? I find that hard to believe, unless they get government backing. (which I suppose they will in this case.This is one time when Hasbro UK can ignore us and let takara ship them over here.)

skywarp-2 wrote:I hope that the end of March gets here soon, and the faster they ship them out, the quicker I get mine before all customs areas are alerted and you see MP megatron wanted posters hanging up in Airports, shipping docks, and Border stations.. This is getting kind of rediculous!! Anyone think this is the McCarthy era or what?? Is is UnAmerican to Own a Toy Megatron? Yet you can own a real Gun that really kills people...??WTF?

This world is unfair and at times stupid. So If I get my MP Megatron unmodified, then its unfair to the Government people or Toy watch dogs, and thats fair to me, dig?

This sounds like an Autobot plot to me.

I'm so sick and tired of hearing Hasblo, and Hasbro sux, etc.

It's a pathetic sentiment. Grow up.

If it wasn't for Hasbro, we wouldn't be here, and while we may not agree with all of their tactics, we do have to admit that if it wasn't for their bringing the molds here, we wouldn't have TFs.

How quickly people forget what they've done for us, and how much it outweighs the bad.

I hate to treat grown adults like children, but when they act as stupidly selfish as this, it's well deserved.

Apparently each and every one of you believes you're above the law? *BUZZ* WRONG.

Hasbro is following the law, and so should you.

Autobot032 wrote:I'm so sick and tired of hearing Hasblo, and Hasbro sux, etc.

It's a pathetic sentiment. Grow up.

If it wasn't for Hasbro, we wouldn't be here, and while we may not agree with all of their tactics, we do have to admit that if it wasn't for their bringing the molds here, we wouldn't have TFs.

How quickly people forget what they've done for us, and how much it outweighs the bad.

I hate to treat grown adults like children, but when they act as stupidly selfish as this, it's well deserved.

Apparently each and every one of you believes you're above the law? *BUZZ* WRONG.

Hasbro is following the law, and so should you.

While I agree with the general sentiment regarding the anti-Hasbro nonsense, I don't see this as 'following the law'. Not releasing the figure stateside without an affixed blaze-orange cap would be following the law. Hasbro making an effort to prevent importation of product by a secondary company seems more like using the law to flex their muscle.

There is a simple soultion to the problem. Call it a replica and you don't have to put an orange cap on it. Also I have to agree with Autobot032 about the hasbro bashing. Without them we would never have the transformers in any form.

...Challenge accepted Hasbro.

Wouldn't they avoid the importation problem if they just shipped in his robot mode? Though I think Hasbro will put them on anyway, even if they are selling the toys in the States just to offset the chance that they might get sued by somebody.

I hope they don't. That orange tip will ruin the whole figure.

While I understand the general concern that people have over not wanting the orange cap, let's not forget that there are alot of very ingenious people on this website. I'm sure that a couple of them will find very good ways to remove the cap without harming the figure. I've been a modeler for over 20 years, so I'm sure that I can find some way to pop that sucker off.

And while I agree that it shouldn't be necessary, we are going to unfortunately have to live with it. I ordered a capped version simply because I didn't want to take the risk of never receiving it. To me having a capped version is better than not having it at all.

I know that this is not everyone's sentiment, and I understand why, but it's fine for me.

Yeah, I agree w/Geekee. It's either Capped Megs or no Megs. I for one will either paint the tip or remove it. It's not that bad.

Actually, after taking a closer look at the pictures of Megs, I think I already know how to get rid of the orange cap.

I am assuming that they are just going to plug up the end of the barrel, and not actually change the end of it so that the sight would be orange as well. If they did that, they would basically be cutting the end off and replacing it, that doesn't seem likely to me.

After we see what happens with the cap, I'll let everyone know if my idea will work.

Let them attempt to set up their own trade blockade.

Unless a group of Hasbro mercenaries are physically dismantling every parcel bound into the United States, their task is futile.

TFC-06 is far more hazardous and is sold without pause here.

Gutter Bunny wrote:starting to feel like i'm going to have to break out my conceal and carry license just to get my flipping toy.

Well the thing is that the law doesn't concern real guns, only toy or replica guns. So technically it is unlawful to own, import, sell, or manufacture these toys in the u.s. without the blaze orange tip permanently affixed to the barrell. I do not like the idea of getting a Modded MP megs at all, but if it the only legal way to obtain and own it in the U.S., then I guess I'll have to live with it.

Zombie Starscream wrote:Wouldn't they avoid the importation problem if they just shipped in his robot mode? Though I think Hasbro will put them on anyway, even if they are selling the toys in the States just to offset the chance that they might get sued by somebody.

Nope, the figure still turns into a toy gun. Thus regardless of if they ship it in Bot form it still falls under the US law pertaining to toy guns and the safety cap. Not a fan of the law myself, but its designed to protect stupid people from themselves. Which here in the US is kinda necessary.

Personally the way I see it even if Hasbro releases this guy state side he's gonna be capped. He has to be. And the whole rumor mill thing of them stopping uncapped figures from getting into the US is unlikely. I have no doubt that they want to stop it. The figure is technically illegal, and its tied to them. It effects their business.

Also he's gonna be sold as a "Toy" if he gets releases here. Partial because thats Hasbro's market, and partially because thats what he is. An expensive very complex toy, but still a toy. And even if they tried to market him as a "Replica" he'd still probably fall under the toy law.

Swerve wrote:I for one am calling BS on this one. These types of rumors, theories, and speculation always pop up prior to the release of just about any highly anticipated movie or product. The fact is that people don't know, so they try to reason based upon what they do know the outcome of whatever is being discussed and people then latch onto this as an official statement.

If Hasbro was really concerned about Takara impeeding upon their US license wouldn't they try and put a stop to the Takara re-issues that were imported at the same time Hasbro was trying to sell the Commemorative Series? The same could be said for the Binaltech versus the Alternators line or MP-01 and MP-04 versus their 20th Anniversary Prime. I don't see Hasbro suddenly trying to make an example out of Takara with this figure now.

The major concern here is with the Alt mode of Megatron himself and the legality of importing him and, is the case of some retailers, the moral decison to sell a realistic toy gun without a bright orange safety cap. I don't really forsee the import of the figure as a problem considering all the TFC-06's that have been imported and resold by retailers in the US, and in gun mode no less. This item is still readily available and as far as I know, there have been no incidents.

Why would Hasbro step in within weeks of the release and suddenly disapprove? They have known about this product for some time and if they were going to do something about it they would have started sending cease and desist letters to retailers notifying them of the legal issue they would face if they attempted to import and sell this figure. It will be virtually impossible for Hasbro to stop all retailers from receiving this item now.

Until I hear something official from someone directly involved, whether it be Hasbro, Takara, or the store I ordered it from notifying me that they cannot get the figure for me, I'll be expecting my un-moddified MP-05 to arrive in a few weeks. Any third party claiming they have inside information but can't release details or otherwise cannot produce documentation that this figure will be prevented from being imported should be written off as rumor.

Ok on the 2nd paragraph, hasbro didn't see MP-01 as a threat to their 20th Anniversary prime simply because they believed that they had the market share due to cheaper pricing and availability. They couldn't have forseen that most collectors would raise a ruckuss about the smoke stacks and battle damge paint job, as a way to hide the shortened smoke stacks change..



As far as retailers making a "Moral Decision" to sell a realistic toy gun without a bright orange safety cap... well Its not really a moral decision, our country is the only one in the world with the orange cap law. Other countries are more safisticated and "adult" to handle a toy gun as just a toy and not make laws about it, simply because their police force is too arrogant and trigger happy to realize the difference in a 10 year olds hand..(my point of view)


I agree with you on hasbro not suddenly disapproving.. they would have from the start, but then again like everything in this country...anytime it becomes popular or ends up being news worthy, some attorney or money grubber comes out of the woodwork..


I agree with writing things from 3rd parties off as rumors.. but rumors do have a small bit of truth to em to start with..


I believe that I may yet end up with an unmodified Megatron by mail order from an overseas country..but If I get that capped version, law or no law, i'm popping that sucker off!! its just gonna fit inside the barrel..I will snap it off quicker then you can say "over reactive toy laws"..

Thank god mine's coming from the Great White North.