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Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:07 pm
by Tsutsukakushi
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... 15-182593/

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.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:27 pm
by alternator77
personally its Hasbro's convention and its their right to ban something if they choose to. if I want a 3rd party item there are multiple ways to get them and its a new product I want I can always watch a YouTube video and preorder it.
lately I've taken a break from buying a lot of stuff but if I were to go to botcon it wouldn't be for some 3rd party toys but rather meet fellow fans, show my daughter some cool ass toys I had when I was a kid and maybe pick up a few classic figs I cant find elsewhere :D

I love 3rd(or should I say fans project) party don't get me wrong. I have them to thank for my Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime, insecticons, headmasters, my yellow landfill and bruticus.
but Hasbro has given me metroplex, skullgrin, the seekers and an MP Sunstorm for less than $200 so they've both been good to me. besides 3rd party has tfcon and a ton of other non official ones to make up the difference. :grin:

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 8:49 am
by Gauntlet101010
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.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 9:04 am
by Jelze Bunnycat
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.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 9:07 am
by Gauntlet101010
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.

I know. As long as they learned their lesson I don't see a problem.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:44 pm
by Rated X
This is such a joke because they keep flip flopping back and forth.

2012 - No 3rd party products in the dealer room

2013 - 3rd party products allowed again because 2012 dealer room was a ghost town.

2014 - I didnt go that year (assuming they were allowed, no announcemets made here)

2015 - Back to the same nonsense

2016 prediction - 3rd party products will be allowed again because 2015 dealer room was a total failure

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:32 pm
by Robogeek1973
Yup, whether they'd like to admit it or not, 3rd party items have become a big thing in the Transformers fandom. If they lose out on money because dealers don't bother going, then that's their problem.


Well.....I'm sure big brother Hasbro has something to do with it as well. :lol:

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:48 pm
by Tsutsukakushi
Don't think this ban is a big deal. As their are over a dozen unofficial fan conventions Worldwide that will feature Third party TF toys.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 3:52 pm
by mooncake623
I don't really think they will enforce it.

Re: Reports are saying Funpub has banned dealers from selling 3rd party TF toys at Botcon 2015

PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2015 4:25 pm
by rpetras
It is a real catch 22 for Hasbro.

They need to protect their IP, but the 3p scene is part of what is keeping the fanbase active and engaged.

If it wasn't for 3P, I would have quit collecting years ago, and I doubt I'm the only one.