Board member Dirgeimus Prime notified us of an e-mail he just recieved from Bill of JRToyworld:

'Hello,

I'm sorry to say that I've cancelled your preorder for Masterpiece Megatron.

Below is a copy of what my vendor sent to me regarding recent news on the
figure:

"Hi Bill,

I am afraid the decision has been made that in order to comply with US Federal
Law all US-bound shipments of Megatron will have the plugs installed. Even
though he will be in robot mode, we have learned there will likely be pics of
him in gun mode on the box, which could cause problems at customs resulting
in a shipment being impounded if there is not a plug. Also, Takara has
apparently decided to do a "US safe" release through Hasbro. This could well
mean that they and/or Hasbro will alert US Customs to be on the lookout for
"counterfeit" merchandise.

So, sorry to say it, but all Megatrons to the US will get plugs. Boxes will not
be in "unopened" condition."

I think its better to cut my losses now and not even attempt to import the
figure due to the potential problems.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Regards,
Bill Egerstaffer



Your order has been updated to the following status.

New status: Canceled'


Keep in mind, this IS still considered rumor at this time, since its not straight from Takara themselves.

 

Well, he did everything he could.

 

glad to see Takara is doing what they can do make the toy legal for America   Just make them with the orange plug straight from the factory, problem solved  

 

Wow, well I guess this is good in that we may not have to import it. I'd rather have tarkara put on the cap too instead of some other company.

 

That sucks.

 

why doesn't takara or whatever just change what the box looks like.. that to me just seems like a simple solution.. i assume that's how reissue megatron had absolutely no problem

 

I can't blame JRS on this one. If this turns out to be true, and Takara is doing a US safe release, I wonder how many other retailers will not offer it.

If the rumor is true, then I think Takara would apply the cap at the factory before it's put in the box, but who knows at this point.

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that Hasbro doesn't want the unaltered version released here. The liability is too great.

 

That sucks for the people who set on importing this guy.
Its kinda sweet and sour though, if the rumor about Hasbro releasing a US Safe Version over here turns out to be true I'll be pleasantly surprised, I never import stuff, so even if he had orange augmentations it'd still be awesome for him to be released state-side.
DN

 

Might I ask what this bodes for those of us with orders from Ages 3 and Up, which guarantee no orange cap?

 

how can Hasbro be liable? they're stamp isn't on the toy anywhere. They had no involvment, so you'll only find a Takara trademark, and a Made in China stamped on him. It doesn't say Hasbro on the box either.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. When it boils down to it, it doesn't really have anything to do with Hasbro, does it...?

 

It Does Not Work That Way. Really. It doesn't. It's like saying you could import Crack in a bag that says "Sugar" and get away with it just fine.

Think of it: The movie buzz. Media finds out that there's a toy being imported to the USA that turns into a realistic handgun replica. Guess who their first contact address will be? How about the company that holds the "Transformers" trademark?

 

but that would never hold up in court. its clearly labeled "takara-tomy" on the box.

 

exactly...god forbid if something did happen with an MP Megatron in the US, who do you think they will go after? Not takara...in the US Hasbro is the Face of transformers, owning the trademark and responsible for all legal ramifications with and that are caused by the transformers brand.

 

When all else fails, go eBay!

 

This is a bunch of horse shit. I want my unplugged, unbutchered Megatron!

Seriously, whats up with all this heat on the figure now? There wasn't this kind of heat back when the 16 Special was reissued. Also, this toy is clearly aimed towards adult collectors. Why does my Megatron have to have a orange tip, but a movie prop replica of a gun does not?

 

doesn't matter, no matter how they make a toy... you all want to repaint it anyways.

 

If it's not meant for sale in North America, Hasbro's supposed to take measures to ensure that it IS not sold in North America, no?