The Energon Pub

[Fistful of Energon]

saw this on TFW... http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... an-171889/

[Jesterhead]

Strange they are banning them at the retail level, and not the manufacturers.

[The Legend]

Not surprising, I-Gear has been taking the piss lately by blatantly ripping off designs Takara spent thousands developing and limiting Takara's option of releasing products like MP coneheads in the future.

[El Duque]

Could the end of the third party custom era be looming on the horizon? According to this story on TFW2005 Japanese retailer Red Mecury has reported receiving a warning from Takara Tomy to stop selling third party custom items on grounds of copyright and trademark infringement. They have already canceled preorders for the following third party items:

• iGear Kup Head Set
• iGear Bee 01
• Perfect Effect SFX Scouting Force X - Camera Set
• TFC Toys Primary School: Primars
• Head Robots Blood
• Crazy Devy CDMW-16
• Crazy Devy CDMW-17

As you can see the items on the list run the gamut from small add-ons, like iGear's Kup01, to full blown original design characters, like TFC's Primars.

Ironic that this news comes across on the very day that we launch our first look galleries at FansProject's Warcry and Flameblast. For the moment it appears this ban is only affecting the Japanese market, and those of you who have these items preordered at retailers based in the US or countries outside of Japan are safe. Stayed tuned, we'll keep you posted as this story develops.

What changed? Did the market just get too big to be ignored? Did high profile items like iGear's conehead Seekers draw a little too much attention? Be sure to share you're thoughts of this sure to be controversial decision here!

[Prime Evil]

It's not like these won't be able to be found elsewhere. It's just gonna be a little harder to get a hold of for some. I'm just happy that FansProject stuff ain't on that list...so far.

[Fistful of Energon]

Im sure its been a long time coming....but after seeing I gear's MP Seeker mold this weekend (not the conehead) im not too surprised. Its just too far IMO


Although I do love how they took care of the hip kibble.

[Court Jester]

I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror... and in a panic sold out the preorders to Perfect Effect Reflector...

[ShardFenix]

I think a lot of this has to do with some of the companies and not all. Fansproject is noticeably missing from the list and I wonder why. Im glad they arent though. Interestingly though only the camera set from Perfect Effect is listed. Nothing from MMC either. iGear does push the envelope with some of what they produce I think. The seekers and coneheads may have been a bit far. Crazydevy, well maybe this will lower their prices?

[The Legend]

iGear does push the envelope with some of what they produce I think. The seekers and coneheads may have been a bit far.

Not forgetting the MP Primes and repaints they keep churning out which are identical but for scale.

[kirbenvost]

Ah, crap. I hope this doesn't end up affecting North American retailers.

[Dead Metal]

I think a lot of this has to do with some of the companies and not all. Fansproject is noticeably missing from the list and I wonder why. Im glad they arent though. Interestingly though only the camera set from Perfect Effect is listed. Nothing from MMC either. iGear does push the envelope with some of what they produce I think. The seekers and coneheads may have been a bit far. Crazydevy, well maybe this will lower their prices?

FansProject stuff isn't on this list due to not resembling official designs enough, they just hsare a passing resemblance and do not use actual trademarks.

I guess the Kup head is on this list for the use of Kup in the product name, while Blood uses the same mold for the swords as the original figure. I still hope that comes out though.

[alexison]

Looks to me like Red Mercury just threw together a random list when they cancelled pre-orders. IMO, it's a little dumb for TT to go after online retailers selling 3rd party products before they go after companies like KOToys.

Hopefully, FP, PE, HR, and the rest of the gang will just open their own ordering pages (like iGear's) so we can keep the good times rolling.

[Counterpunch]

Good luck Takara, you're going to need it.

...

You see, I'm being dismissive of this ridiculous notion that they can do anything about this and more over, that it is worth their time to do so.

[Rated X]

Thats a fine way to help boost the economy in a time of need in Japan. (sarcasm) It's also an easy way to get on every collectors s**tlist. And unlike the USA, in Japan the primary market for Transformers is collectors. So there will be many unhappy folks. You are also just sending more business to China. You may be able to stop dealers from setting up shop in Japan, but you cant stop the mail.

Takara, if you want to compete with the 3rd party market, step up your game and give the fans what they ask for. Leave the 3rd party companies with nothing to make. And that's the bottom line because Rated X said so...

[Lord Onixprime]

well, lets hope Hasbro doesn't join in. They've been pretty cool about 3rd party stuff so far. They know that those add-on kits raise the demand for the figures they are made for and has moved what were once shelf warmers.

I agree that iGear does cross the line a bit, but then if they are using their own molds what separates them from knock-offs other than the price? Then there are the completely original molds like the Primars, I don't see how Takara can call them copy right infringement just because of their passing resemblance to Transformers.

[GetRightRobot]

I think a lot of this has to do with some of the companies and not all. Fansproject is noticeably missing from the list and I wonder why. Im glad they arent though. Interestingly though only the camera set from Perfect Effect is listed. Nothing from MMC either. iGear does push the envelope with some of what they produce I think. The seekers and coneheads may have been a bit far. Crazydevy, well maybe this will lower their prices?

FansProject stuff isn't on this list due to not resembling official designs enough, they just hsare a passing resemblance and do not use actual trademarks.

I guess the Kup head is on this list for the use of Kup in the product name, while Blood uses the same mold for the swords as the original figure. I still hope that comes out though.

That's right!

[onsanyo-con]

Ah, crap. I hope this doesn't end up affecting North American retailers.

If I remember correctly Hasbro has the grounds for it out here, whereas in Japan Takara/Tomy has it. It shouldn't affect us unless Hasbro gets a stick up their butt and decides to ruin the entire 3rd party goodness for us. Makes me feel bad for Japanese 3rd party lovers.

[El Duque]

Good luck Takara, you're going to need it.

...

You see, I'm being dismissive of this ridiculous notion that they can do anything about this and more over, that it is worth their time to do so.

Agreed. When they compare what profits they are losing (if any) to how much it would cost to really do anything about these guys the whole thing falls apart. Spend millions to save thousands, not likely.

[Fortress Rodimus]

Wow that is really crazy. I have not started to pick up any of the third party but i would love to in the future. I hope this does not affect America. Hasbro do not pay any attention to what Japan is doing.

[cannonfodder4000]

Takara, if you want to compete with the 3rd party market, step up your game and give the fans what they ask for. Leave the 3rd party companies with nothing to make. And that's the bottom line because Rated X said so...

*Sigh*, haven't Hasbro and Takara been doing that for the past few months now? >.>

[RodimalToyota]

iGear pushed the line to far. Fans project made add on parts that just increased the selling demand of hasbro toys. iGear is pumping out exact replications of harbor product, copyright and trademark characters. Not to mention I bet they didn't pay royalties to VW for the Bee toys.

[Blurrz]

Thats a fine way to help boost the economy in a time of need in Japan. (sarcasm) It's also an easy way to get on every collectors s**tlist. And unlike the USA, in Japan the primary market for Transformers is collectors. So there will be many unhappy folks. You are also just sending more business to China. You may be able to stop dealers from setting up shop in Japan, but you cant stop the mail.

Takara, if you want to compete with the 3rd party market, step up your game and give the fans what they ask for. Leave the 3rd party companies with nothing to make. And that's the bottom line because Rated X said so...

This is a blatant assumption but I highly doubt that third party toys are a 'big hit' other than FansProject in Japan. There's a certain angst towards Knock Off or unofficial toys. It's a big thing with Gundam and other kits, and I think it goes hand in hand with Transformers products too.

And they aren't going to send more business to China, seeing as every single third party sans Renderform and Corbot V, who aren't really third parties, originate from China. Popularity in one country isn't going to increase because another country no longer has third party product.

Takara, compete? Buddy, what would rather have? United Frenzy/Rumble, the e-Hobby 3-Pack sets, and Masterpiece Hot Rod or..... iGear Head Upgrades, a transforming camera made up of 3 small figures, and CrappyDevy upgrades. A retailer's sales are probably 20x fold for Takara compared to the add-on guys.

Takara doesn't need to change their line-up to shut down third parties. They should just get in there and shut down 'some' third parties. As a collector of all things, I believe 3rd party stuff is garbage, unless it's made by FansProject, HR, MMC and to an extent, Perfect Effect. And really, if they all go under, I could honestly not care at all. It's a shame that some companies had to **** the bed and make the rest of the good ones look bad. Like honestly, I still can't believe Impossible Toys' Arcee mold was actually capable of being sold. That thing is a piece of garbage and the price tag of $60+ is a bloody joke. I can't believe i-Gear hasn't been stomped on for their complete and utter copy-cat attitude towards not only Hasbro and Takara products, but for custom ideas from other members of the TF community without their general authorization.

Look, I doubt that any more action will be taken from HasTak, as their own product sales are enhanced by the mutuality that exists from 3rd party products created. But at the same time.. I wouldn't mind seeing some third parties go under. Their products are a terrible miss, and they charge way too much. It's an addiction that just needs to go away..

[alexison]

This is a blatant assumption but I highly doubt that third party toys are a 'big hit' other than FansProject in Japan. There's a certain angst towards Knock Off or unofficial toys. It's a big thing with Gundam and other kits, and I think it goes hand in hand with Transformers products too.

And they aren't going to send more business to China, seeing as every single third party sans Renderform and Corbot V, who aren't really third parties, originate from China. Popularity in one country isn't going to increase because another country no longer has third party product.

Takara, compete? Buddy, what would rather have? United Frenzy/Rumble, the e-Hobby 3-Pack sets, and Masterpiece Hot Rod or..... iGear Head Upgrades, a transforming camera made up of 3 small figures, and CrappyDevy upgrades. A retailer's sales are probably 20x fold for Takara compared to the add-on guys.

Takara doesn't need to change their line-up to shut down third parties. They should just get in there and shut down 'some' third parties. As a collector of all things, I believe 3rd party stuff is garbage, unless it's made by FansProject, HR, MMC and to an extent, Perfect Effect. And really, if they all go under, I could honestly not care at all. It's a shame that some companies had to **** the bed and make the rest of the good ones look bad. Like honestly, I still can't believe Impossible Toys' Arcee mold was actually capable of being sold. That thing is a piece of garbage and the price tag of $60+ is a bloody joke. I can't believe i-Gear hasn't been stomped on for their complete and utter copy-cat attitude towards not only Hasbro and Takara products, but for custom ideas from other members of the TF community without their general authorization.

Look, I doubt that any more action will be taken from HasTak, as their own product sales are enhanced by the mutuality that exists from 3rd party products created. But at the same time.. I wouldn't mind seeing some third parties go under. Their products are a terrible miss, and they charge way too much. It's an addiction that just needs to go away..

So, tell me how you really feel..

[T-Macksimus]

Looks to me like Red Mercury just threw together a random list when they cancelled pre-orders. IMO, it's a little dumb for TT to go after online retailers selling 3rd party prodects before they go after companies like KOToys.

That randomly thrown together list is what is otherwise known as "a state of panic".
When Unicron shows up at your front door, unless yopu can pull the Matrix out of your a** right then and there, your first reaction is going to be to panic and do stupid stuff.

Good luck Takara, you're going to need it.

...

You see, I'm being dismissive of this ridiculous notion that they can do anything about this and more over, that it is worth their time to do so.

Agreed. When they compare what profits they are losing (if any) to how much it would cost to really do anything about these guys the whole thing falls apart. Spend millions to save thousands, not likely.

They don't have to spend a dime outside of what they are paying the person to type up and e-mail the intimidation letters. They are approaching this problem of theirs from a long-term, military campaign point-of-view and I have to say that while it may not ultimately get the results that they ideally want it is still a very smart approach to dealing with the problem. Minimal cost and effort on their part and let the opponent slowly damage itself along the way. By going for the retailers instead of the manufacturers they create a situation where they can monopolize an outlet and leave the 3rd party MFG's to slowly wither and disappear. It's worked quite well for companies like Microsoft and Verizon and once Hasbro is forced to join in on the same tactic domestically (and they will be) then it will prove brutally effective for Has/Tak down the road too.

[venomfrlife]

here's my question... ko transformers are everywhere from e-bay to flee markets to pre made Easter baskets in most retail stores, they come from different manufactures mostly found in Japan & surrounding countries ...Do you think this will signal the end of KO transformers?