Thank you sir. It amuses me no end to see uptight collectors raging that "4th party isn't a thing don't use that term" then in the next breath they start trying to distinguish licenced vs unlicensed third party, contrasting to KO, modified KO, upsized, downsized... those are all 3rd party. ALL OF THEM!!!

People don't like the term 4th party? So what? Until folks start using the term "3rd Party' correctly their arguments are not only baseless but frankly a little nonsensical.
"4th party" is a convenient shorthand to describe what we call "KO's", just as we use "3rd party" as a shorthand to describe unlicensed 3rd party products and distinguish them for other products that are approved by the licence holder.

The reason "4th Party" is a thing, and a lot of Chinese online stores use the term, is so that their listings don't get blocked for talking about "KO" or "Knock Off". It's as simple as that.  

 

Didn't know Hottoys is a also a 3rd party company, and it is not about licensing, I stand corrected.

 

For folks who hate the term “4th Party:”

 

I see you, @dmarsee and I raise you a

 

 

It's essentially a term being used by vendors to draw distinction between types of knockoffs/unlicensed toys. But in reality, it's a nonsense term. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party DO have definable meaning in relation to the sale and purchase of toys, but unfortunately even these terms are often misused or applied by vendors to make their unlicensed toys sound legitimate.

As always, before the barrage of hate, I must clarify that I love 3P and KO toys, and collect many of them. I'm just able to buy these items without the need to somehow morally justify my purchased by pretending any of these items are anything but IP theft.

 

This is the correct answer.

 

Sooo... is tfw2005 posting 3rd party news again??? It’s like they’re doing 10% of new stuff... am I crazy or did years ago they said they were not going to post 3rd party??

 

4th Party is frankly pretty goddamn dumb. If it is a "original work" based on the IP of transformers, it's 3rd Part all the way through, regardless of whether it is a standalone work or a kit made to enhance another 3rd Party. Try googling up "Definition of 3rd Party."

First Party is someone like Nintendo. Zelda, Metroid, Mario. Second party is the end user or consumer. You and me who buy and consume these products. Third Party is someone not directly affiliated, but may have an effect in this transation between first and second parties. Like a third party video game developer, who makes games that are licensed for play on one or more video game platforms. Skyrim, Dark Souls, Fire Emblem.