I think SG Rodimus by KOtoys and Igears ThunderCracker broke the camels back....Im thinking Hasbro was gonna release a US version of MP TC and Botcon Rodimus being KOed really upset them....

 

I believe if Hasbro does start the legal battle with the 3rd party, it would make purchasing 3rd party products from domestic vendor difficult.

Look at the original Macross TV toys from Yamato (the 1/60 version). Harmony Gold started a legal fight with Big West and Yamato, and although Harmony Gold didn't win, it stopped Big West from bringing the original Macross stuff to the State. Also because of this, vendors aren't willing to carry Yamato products that were released after the lawsuit began to avoid legal risks. TO this day BBTS does not carry original Macross TV series Yamato toys that were released after the lawsuit began (the 1/60 stuff, which are great toys). It is easy to import through Japan vendors because there no legal issue from Asia.

Hasbro is in a much better position compared to Harmony Gold as they practically own everything related to Transformers.

Back to 3rd party, I believe Hasbro would win the legal party against iGear and kotoys, but probably less so to TFC or FP. However, like many have said before, these "companies" would just reappear under another banner. So the worst I can envision is having to import all 3rd party stuff from Asia. Robotkingdom may be pleased by this news.

 

Indeed, but there are some fan faves that can be done quick to cover all the major bases, such as a deluxe Arcee or Shockwave. Even Devastator might be economically doable with 4 scouts and a deluxe.

Of course they don't HAVE to do a whole bunch of niche G1 characters, but all they need to do is make a few of the right Generations toys to deal huge blows to the third parties.

 

no one wants a Devy that's 5 bots.

 

It's one of those 50/50 things. Realistically, if Hasbro can isolate specific companies and shipping address and provide them to customs, it should be possible to stop these things from coming in because it is on such a small scale.

But it takes a lot of political pull and money from Hasbro. I mean, are we going to have custom officials take their eye off of Terrorism and focus on this?

The only chance Hasbro has is to try to connect the 3rd Party companies in with Terrorism. I have heard of everyone trying to tie something in to terrorism. For fucks sakes, Chinatown in NYC is hurting because they said those KO bags that all the women like were tied into terrorism.

 

With some stores like BBTS and Kapow Toys, Hasbro wouldn't even need to involve customs. Those stores carry much more than just Transformers product, and if Hasbro threatens to stop supplying them with ALL Hasbro merchandise, then they'll stop carrying certain (or all) third party product.

 

Yeah, but people can order directly from the vendors.

CrazyDevy and iGear already do this. And most people will just order from RobotKingdom.

So yeah, the US based companies get hurt, but the 3rd Party companies won't.

Not to mention, Hasbro doesn't have a leg to stand on with most 3rd party companies. If they don't have a patent on transforming robots, then the coincidence of the looks between the figures and the cartoons have nothing to do with each other. Not that they will be able to fight that in court anyway. In China you could win in court and still nothing happens.

 

^^^ Third parties companies will be hurt for a short time. A lot of people prefer the option of pre-ordering from US based retailers and it'll take them a little time to adjust. Also, for some third parties, they prefer selling it to retailers instead of selling directly as the order from the retailer can give them the initial cash outlay they need. In the long run it won't stop the third party but it'll change the current environment and also open up room for more scams and other issues. . .

 

Reading comments... there is a fourth option I hadn't mentioned... but it's an utter pipe dream.

Have Has/Tak commission or sell license to the better/well-behaved 3rd party companies. Long as Has/Tak gets some money off the sales, the figures can be made... and possible get larger scale production.

But again, this will most likely *never* happen.

 

If I was BBTS or TFSource, I would open a side business that sold only third party products.

Hasbro needs to prove that these companies are infringing on some Patent. If the US based companies choose wisely what they sell, it would be almost impossible to prove copywrite infrigement.

There is nothing FP, Maketoys or others created that Hasbro can lay claims to. Oh, those toys look like our cartoon don't fly in court.

 

Takara has sold one-day licenses before so never say never. Hasbro will never do it though because their entire image is based on being a toy company and there will be never enough disclaimers or warning lables about this or that custom being an adult collectible if a small child has an accident.

 

This. You can not stop the 3rd party groups. Even if Hasbro wins in the court system, who will uphold the decision. It is one thing to get a court ruling win it is another to have it implimented.

Living in a post 9/11 world I really don't think customs is going to give a rats ass about toys.

When is this Habsro TC release going to happen. They've had well over a year to release it and have released two others since. It's not going to happen and I doubt having a 3rd party release something will stop them. Remember folks we are nothing more than a meaningless 10% to them and they are the maker of toys for the masses not us. (sarcasm)

Once again I believe Hasbro will have no problems beating any of the 3rd party groups. That is once they figure out who to actually sue. But as stated before, even if they get a win (which will take years due to the numerous delays both sides can make) who is going to inforce it. I'm sure China has more to worry about then some people making a small number of units based on stolen IP. Apple store anyone? Oh I mean every inch of this place and the items inside are knock off Apple Store.

As for taking it away from NA relailers? Good karma is a bitch and it would serve them all right for the cash grabs they have been making recently. I bet they will all wish they didn't get so greedy on 3rd party stuff once they can not sell it anymore.

Devastator is a 6 bot combiner. They already made him with 5 and that turned out to be a mess.

I think Habsro has many more main charatcers to put out and don't need to revert to random bot#354 to make us happy. They started Classics, as fans all we are asking for them to do is finish it. Until then we turn to 3rd party groups.

I believe what we are discussing here is the same thing we do every so often when a Hasbro rep chimes in with BS about stopping 3rd party.

If Microsoft/Apple don't stand a chance how can Hasbro.

I love 3rd party stuff and I love the fact that they can't be stopped even more.

 

I don't know enough about BBTS or TFSource's finances to say if this is worth it. And at the end of the day Hasbro doesn't have to prove anything. It can just tell BBTS and TFSource that if it even remotely suspects them of funding 3rd parties it'll cut them off.

 

This question is for those who live in Asia or elsewhere overseas.

With all of the bitching about how BBTS and the like are so "greedy" with their markups, what if there's an item that's exclusive to North America and Asian stores import it for their customers, what's the markup over there?

 

Very true. Some one I have spoken to at the NJCC told me he heard stories of how stores were sued by Hasbro and part of the lawsuit was a gag order. Which is really interesting.

But, how would Hasbro go after a company that only sells 3rd Party toys? The only thing I could think of is that they just use their lawyers to push lawsuits that have no merit to crush these smaller companies. US history is FULL of these types of stories. My favorite being the guy who created the wind sheild wipers. Ford stole them and then sued him. He died of stress, broke. Ah, good old corporate America. Or corporate global economy now.

 

Some more crazy thoughts. (too lazy to read 46 pages to see if they've already been mentioned).

1) Does HasTak have any control over the factories? Can third parties go to an any ole factory and have their stuff made or are transforming bots toys specialized? I was really surprised this year at how well they kept Botcon information from leaking.

2) Wouldn't it be funny if HasTak started taking the best 3rd party items, reverse-engineer and reproduce them and dare the 3rd parties to sue Hasbro? Fansproject Giant coming out in December for $300? Hasbro Giga-Devastator coming out in June for $100. . .

 

Actually it will be a very long journey for Hasbro, whether can win or not for the lawsuit is another thing

 

Yeah, that's definitely one way. A company that only sells 3rd party items would get killed on lawyer fees alone. On top of lawyer fees, having to charge more for 3rd party items since it's their only source of income, and the general price of 3rd party items going up because the fixed costs is spread over fewer products with the big retailers out of the picture, it'll be a rough ride.

Hasbro has the patience. Their goal would not be to win but to outlast the little guy. It'll be a war of attrition, not of battle dominance.

 

The price of 3rd party will be jacked up soon when the lawsuit start, from that point, don't think will consider buying 3rd party toys because it maybe too expensive for a 3rd party toy

 

Reprolabels is a great example of someone that is doing what it takes to be hit, BUT, if I was Hasbro I would see them as a benefit to the community (and my bottom line) rather than a threat to be destroyed.

A Hasbro that is engaged in the community would prolly come to that same conclusion but you can't ever be certain.