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http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-modelplane14.html
interesting
interesting
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Isn't it just!
What next -
Isn't it just!
What next - cross border model building to avoid infringements?
And what about we scratch builders? Will we have to pay fees!
Lawyers!! -
Huh!
Some people want to spoil
Huh!
Some people want to spoil all the fun.
Well making a law is one thing, enforcing it is quite another.
What they gonna do, send out the boys in blue everytime they see someone operating their boat on the local duck pond?
Of course this could have an impact on the kit makers, as they are much more visible to the folk that may wish to prosecute.
I suppose there are ways around it, like changing subtle details and badging it as 'a likeness to'!
But then we have the likes of Disney, who go around squashing anyone 'known' to be producing kits of the Nautilus.
Doesn't stop production, just pushes it underground.
AndyComment
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I had no idea that
I had no idea that Disney could be so "childish"!
Judging from the recent McDonald libel case in the UK the Big Bad Corporation could easily end up with egg on its face if it gets too picky.
Could be fun if one of our modellers got sued for making a model. David versus Goliath maybe.
DavidComment
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John ... I must be
John ... I must be having a series of 'senior moments' because when I type in the Sun Times address above, I keep getting a 'page not available'. I would love to see what the story says. Thanks....Comment
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It was similar to "The
It was similar to "The FUture of the Hobby?" at the IPMS site. Basically Boeing, Sikorsky, General Dynamics, Textron, et al., want licensing fees from kit manufacturers. This is to protect their "intellectual property" that was developed at taxpayers expense for the military. Union Pacific and CSX railroads are already enforcing license aggreements for the use of their logos on everything from T shirts to magnets to model railraod equipment. Copanies producing replicas of NASCAR racers not only have to deal with the race car owner, but the engine and body manufacturers, and all of those sponsors on the side of the car. I work in a LHS, and the Union Pacific and CSX rolling stock costs $5 or more than the stuff for Amtrak, BNSF, or NS. The newer race car kits are more expensive than older kits in the same scale becasue of the "licensing" agreements.
Edited By chips on 1108605796Comment
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Thanks Bob ...
Thanks Bob ...Comment
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John ... I must be
the article still works for me, but it maybe stored in my cacheJohn ... I must be having a series of 'senior moments' because when I type in the Sun Times address above, I keep getting a 'page not available'. I would love to see what the story says. Thanks....
Here is an excerpt
Licensing demands have increased in the last few years, said John Long, chairman and CEO of Northbrook's Revell-Monogram, one of the world's biggest makers of model and hobbycraft kits.
"What really upset people is when companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin wanted royalties'' for military replicas, Long said, adding that the development and design costs "have been paid for by government money, taxpayer money.
"All it does is it raises the price,'' Long said. Generally, the royalty makes up 3 percent to 15 percent of the asking price, he said.
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Another excerpt from the article
Chicago-based
Another excerpt from the article
Chicago-based Boeing, with 2004 earnings of $52.5 billion, says the company isn't trying to milk the consumer. "It's used to protect intellectual property,'' spokesman Ken Mercer said. "This is not a revenue stream. . . .The royalties end of this are minuscule and barely cover the cost of managing such an effort.'' Lockheed Martin says it needs to protect its trademark consistently, or risk eroding its rights.
"The U.S. government uses the products and services Lockheed Martin provides, royalty-free,'' said Jeffery Adams, a spokesman for the world's largest defense contractor. "Lockheed Martin retains all patents for inventions it develops, as well as trademark rights for all products it produces for the U.S. government.'' The company wants to ensure that the models are accurate, high-quality and safe, Adams said. Mike Bass said Boeing has been giving him headaches for a couple of years. He's head of New Jersey's Stevens International, an importer and distributor of hobby kits. "I have a 50-page document here from Boeing that they want me to sign,'' Bass said. "It's ridiculous.'' Boeing has "pockets of endless depth,'' he said. "Who's going to put up the dollars to fight them?'' Boeing wants a licensing agreement from a Stevens supplier -- a Chinese maker of model Boeing aircraft, he said.Comment
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John, thanks for the additional
John, thanks for the additional info. I wonder if they go after the T-shirt, cup, wallpaper and kid's toy makers too?Comment
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If they follow the Union
If they follow the Union Pacific lead, they will.
Edited By chips on 1108702998Comment
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John, thanks for the additional
I think they will.John, thanks for the additional info. I wonder if they go after the T-shirt, cup, wallpaper and kid's toy makers too?Comment
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