The Energon Pub

copied and pasted info from TFW site wrote:Yesterday, we reported on the BotCon 2015 brochure going online. However, there was a very important piece of information contained within that may have been missed by some readers.

This morning, TFW2005 boards veteran Shin-Gouki brought to our attention the following quote from within the brochure:

"Exhibitor’s product content must be at least 50% Transformers related. This means robots, action figures, comics, sci-fi or related products. General toys or dolls are not allowed. Exhibitors must collect the 8% Illinois sales tax or current rate in effect at the time of the show. Exhibitors must file and pay using the forms provided at the show one week after the conclusion of the event. Please do not bring products that violate Hasbro owned intellectual property"

This is further backed up by two other relevant quotes from TFW2005 boards member Autobot City Comics 2008, who had attended JoeCon 2015 this year, where a vendor he was working was was told to take his 3rd party Transformers items down:

"Yes they are they did it to the vendor I was working with at Joecon he had a little 3rd party transformers and was told by Pete to take it down. We asked if it was going to be In forced at Botcon and he said yes but not as 3rd party but as IP infringement"

Furthermore, Fun Publications employee Pete Sinclair supplied some other pertinent quotes further clarifying the situation recently on The Allspark:
"I lobbied for the term '3rd party' to be dropped. It's a meaningless term.

Main thing that we will not permit are items that infringe on Hasbro's IP. If an exhibitor is unsure if something infringes on the IP, most likely it infringes on the IP. So. Don't bring it."

"It will be strictly enforced."

"I'm not sure what else you want me to say? IP infringing items will not be permitted to be sold. They are not allowed at the show and there will be someone on hand to monitor this."

Yes indeed folks, it seems that unofficial items will be barred from BotCon 2015 this year. What are your thoughts on this revelation? Sound off after the break!

UPDATE:
Pete@Botcon has clarified that "Vendors are free to contact us ahead of time with questions." If you are a dealer and are unsure if the items you are bringing will be allowed, then please check ahead of time to see if your items are allowed.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:IMHO it seems fair enough to me as long as it doesn't extend to fan art and customs. It's Hasbro's own convention, after all.

It actually did the first year the ban was implemented. After fan outcry the ban was made less strict to cover only toys.