I pretty much agree, but I also agree with the post above yours that Hasbro comes off like the biggest douchebag hypocrites, and if they don't do something to fix the situation, they can take all their anti 3rd Party crap and shove it up their ass.

I can only hope if Hasbro doesn't take care of Blitz that MMC uses the credited art on/in their product and gives him a free fig (or something).

 

Hasbro? I thought this toy was a TakaraTomy release not a Hasbro one.

 

SHH! The Fanz are raging, don't confuse them with facts! also I'm not seeing where Blitz is upset. on his Deviant art page he does kinda do a "Huh....can they do that?"... but follows it up with a "Sweet my art is on official Merch!"

 

It is Takara Tomy.

Where are you getting this info from, exactly? The box clearly has the TT logo on it. Takara Tomy has released plenty of "Asian Exclusive" items in the past, including MPs with the special coins for that market. AE G1 reissues have happened, as well as other lines, all from TT.

 

Exactly, and why I suggested contacting Hasbro USA.

Why USA division, because they're local, they want to seem like they care, and they don't need an international headache.

 

so wow this thread went epic. So no real news just an e-mail from Hasbro UK saying they have forwarded it.

As for going all legal I stated I'm not out for money just some recognition and maybe a sixshot (ok I'd love a sixshot) I'm well aware that this is more of an embarrassment rather then a legal no no on hasbros part

 

Sorry Blitz, since it's Takara instead of Hasbro, you have no case...apparently.

Whether it's TT or Hasbro Asia, what's the diff? The point remains...

 

I very much agree. That law's just the law. The law isn't moral, or ethical, or just, or concerned about right and wrong, it's just law. Hasbro, Takara, Tomy, whomever may have had a -legal right- to do what they did, but did they have a -moral ability- to do so?

There's a lot of things immoral and unethical in IP laws. I totally agree with most of the thread in that regard. I'm just trying to point out legal and moral differences.

Allow me to give you some more advice, if you don't mind:

You may not have very much legal footing to work with. In fact, I say you pretty much have none, and would strongly recommend you do everything BUT traipse into legal fights over it. Not like you wanted to, I know, but just be cautious you don't get played into the legal arena too. And if you ever need to hire a lawyer for a civil case (civil courts are quite different than criminal courts, by the by) to press a lawsuit, for any reason, this or another, hire only on contigency. That means your lawyer only gets paid if they win the case, and, at least in the USA, can take up to 1/3 of the winnings but no more - you agree on their percentage when you contract with them though. Anyway, please don't go down a legal route.

I recommend again, strongly, using this as a 'foot in the door' sort of thing to get Hasbro to hire you for paid work. Sure, ask for a Sixshot also, but look at this as a wonderful way to work in an official capacity with Transformers. Even if you don't get such work now, you might get some later, and they may look favorably at your works. Bright side of things, you know?

But, to the point of my advice, if you absolutely must feel you need to 'fight Hasbro' like most of the thread wanted you to do, do not do it in the legal arena. They have very good lawyers. If you absolutely must 'fight Hasbro' make it a PR fight. No company at all likes when their reputation takes a hit, especially not when that hit is in being called thieves. And be cool about it too, people won't care if you are, in internetspeak, a 'whinger' (whiner), but they will go up in arms on your behalf if you play it right.

But seriously, a 'fight Hasbro' scenario, in any arena, is not something I recommend. But if you MUST, please don't forget the advice.

It is very much in the realm of possibility that the Takara people just didn't know, and proceeded on ignorance. Of course, that would take some mind reading abilities to really know a person's motivations on using Blitz's work. But, as a hypothetical question:

Assuming if Blitz knew that Person X in Division Y did it, when, why, all the various factors, even though the COMPANY has a legal right to use the work, the INDIVIDUAL could still be taken to court. Yes, if Blitz did find out the information he needed, he could take the person responsible to civil court.

As for how much money he'd get, if any, and what legal arguments could be made on Blitz's behalf, that would be up for an International IP Lawyer type. Blitz lives in the UK it seems, so if the case was heard in the UK, different laws would be used to fight or defend in the case, than if the case was done in Hong Kong or the USA. Yes, Berne Copyright Convention could be invoked no matter the nation, but each individual nation will have their own laws that may influence the outcome or shape the fight.

It's pretty hypothetical, but the possibility very much exists he could take on the individual.

 

an update

I got this email

As far as Hasbro UK thinks the coins are not offical merch

Dear Mr Cox

Your email has been forwarded to me for review. Having looked at your email below and the pictures you attached, I want to advise that Hasbro does not recognise this product. The Six Shot Transformer character is a Takara Tomy character and having checked with Tomy they also do not recognise this as one of their genuine products. Therefore, it is likely to be a counterfeit product and the question of copyright theft is one for the counterfeiter.

Have you found this product physically in the UK or have you come across this only on the internet?

Kind regards
Kate

so yeah just thinking of a good way to word a reply to something so stupid

 

Words. Fail. Me.

This deserves a repost in UK toy discussion.

 

I... I can't find a facepalm image macro immense enough.

(If I had to give them the benefit of the doubt, I'd assume it's because they haven't inquired at the proper branch of Hasbro. They asked US, they said "That's from Japan, isn't it?" so they asked Tomy and they said "Not us, brah", because it's actually from Hasbro Asia.)

 

so yeah bit of a request for anyone who has the coin if they could find like a copy right stamp or some peace of official press that states the coin is official that would be awesome.

I have been trying to dig thought old mag scans but my google-fu is weak

Edit: looked at more pictures and the coin box actually has a Hasbro logo stamped on the back....

 

I don't have the Sixshot reissue......but looking at the coin for MP sunstorm, i can't see any copyright info, and i don't think i saw any on the coins for MP 10 or MP11. (?)

 

looking at robot kindoms pics the card box does have a hasbro stamp but they can just say its a fake etc so like a scan from a magazine or something official is needed

 

so wait, are these coins not official products or are they just blowing steam?

tbh I never checked my mp-11 coin for any type of official logos or anything...I wonder if they are even produced by hasbro/takara or if they are handled by a separate party?

 

These coins are just bonus if you purchase the Sixshot.

 

You will. And it will be magnificent. Go and have a pint and an epiphany.
This is beyond ludicrous.

 

just as a matter of fact, make fanarts is already a crime because the character belongs to hasbro so hasbro using a illegal fanart of their character is okay.

 

I would LOVE to see what people would say if in some alternate universe Hasbro just started putting out Hercules Bots under the official label at $20 with ZERO compensation to TFC.