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Post by uberrider on Feb 24, 2009 22:29:43 GMT -5
Does Bandai still own the rights to Popy merchandise?
Is it legal to make/sell replicas of Popy merchandise or merchandise featuring old Bandai products?
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 24, 2009 22:35:17 GMT -5
According to US Copyright, maybe someone else can spam on International copyright laws, a copyright lasts as along as the life of the author/company + 70 years.
Without Bandai's permission, it would be illegal to make replicas of their products.
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Post by Erik Sjoen on Feb 25, 2009 0:09:31 GMT -5
According to US Copyright, maybe someone else can spam on International copyright laws, a copyright lasts as along as the life of the author/company + 70 years. Without Bandai's permission, it would be illegal to make replicas of their products. I can assure you that this is absolutely correct. |
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Post by uberrider on Feb 25, 2009 12:01:41 GMT -5
Doh... I wanted to create some posters featuring Godaikins...
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 25, 2009 16:33:13 GMT -5
Well, that depends. For instance, it is unlikely Ford, GM, Ferrari, etc. would sue you if you made a car poster of your car (Ford, GM, Ferrari, etc), right? If you are selling it as an example of your work-photography, etc. then the image will be your copyright. It is a little touchy and I'm not giving you legal advise or anything, the best is to consult a copyright attorney, but I think you can shoot a picture of some Godaikins and sell the poster, maybe?
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Post by Cyrano on Feb 25, 2009 18:22:18 GMT -5
It's pretty hairy, especially with internationally owned properties. I'd say a lot of it depends on what you intend to do with it the posters. If you're just making them for yourself or for a friend or somesuch then nobody's going to have a problem with it. If you're aiming to sell them though you might draw some legal attention, depending on your volume. The more you make off the sales the more worthwhile a copyright infringement suit becomes...
00silvergt gave you the best advice when he said to get in touch with a copyright attorney. If in doubt, check with the people whose job it is to know the law!
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 25, 2009 18:33:35 GMT -5
Just to add, FYI. OP is from Canada, so your laws may differ, but in the US, copyright violations that use more than 10 copies AND/OR $2500 can be considered a felony. That means Prison and you get to check the little box that asks if you were convicted of a felony and will show up each time they do a background check. Not worth it...
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Post by mannix143 on Feb 25, 2009 19:14:32 GMT -5
Doh... I wanted to create some posters featuring Godaikins... same here, im looking for a good copy while i have access to big printers. |
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Post by uberrider on Feb 25, 2009 19:16:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I work in print, so I figured I can make some high quality posters featuring vintage robots and may be their boxarts. Perhaps short run of 50-100 to recover the cost. I guess I have to look into the copyright issues to stay out of trouble. Not really for profit or anything just for interest.
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 26, 2009 1:15:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I work in print, so I figured I can make some high quality posters featuring vintage robots and may be their boxarts. Perhaps short run of 50-100 to recover the cost. I guess I have to look into the copyright issues to stay out of trouble. Not really for profit or anything just for interest. Again, I am not giving you legal advice, but making an educational conversation. But the problem is that this is a very touchy and hairy project. Take Andy Warhol for example with his Campbell Soup Pop Art. I don't think he needed permission from Campbell Soup Company since he was using these copyright images for art. This article: Car Photos in Calendars makes me think you can do it, but proceed with caution as you may receive a cease and desist letter from Bandai's attorney. As the article indicates, you can use the logos and likeness for informational purpose. I think if you were to create a poster that is more like art and it doesn't contain trademark text or marketing you may be okay. (Again, I'm not acting as an attorney or giving you legal advice, this is merely for educational conversation.) But then again this article: Ford and Photos of Your Car indicates that Ford can go after even car owners who try to sell their car posters for copyright infringement. Then there is the likeliness that Bandai or Bandai America will go after you for infringement, for many years Kimono My house have created Macross buttons and pins and I believe they did not have permission from either Big West nor Harmony Gold to produce them. But I guess they happen to stay off the radar and they weren't ask to stop. |
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 26, 2009 1:16:44 GMT -5
Doh... I wanted to create some posters featuring Godaikins... same here, im looking for a good copy while i have access to big printers. What's wrong with the SOC V5 I posted? LOL...what did you have in mind, I may be able to help. I have Godaikin V5, Dairugger XV and Golion vintage, otherwise...LOL |
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Post by 00silvergt on Feb 26, 2009 1:59:17 GMT -5
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Post by corellianvette on Feb 28, 2009 2:36:20 GMT -5
What's legal vs. illegal technically is advice that should only come from a lawyer.
But here's the reality: Bandai probably has more money then you. And they can hire lawyers to put pressure on you to stop doing whatever they want you to stop doing. ;D
With that said - If you¡¦re making something like this as ¡§fan art¡¨, or for your friends, or a couple folks on a robot board; I seriously doubt they care.
If you start using their IP (intellectual property) to make a ton of money, they¡¦re not going to like this. But since these old Godaikins aren¡¦t really being marketed in the US anymore, and you¡¦re doing this as sort of a fan art thing, don¡¦t think you¡¦ll have a problem. Just keep it low-key.
This, of course, is coming from a guy who sells reproduction Godaikin instructions and parts on ebay.
Nobody has contacted me yet, but if they do and they ask me to stop, you can bet for sure I will!
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Post by KingboyD on Mar 3, 2009 13:57:33 GMT -5
Heck, as someone who has no legal responsibility in this matter but who is curious to see what you had in mind, I say go for it, uberrider!  |
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Post by 00silvergt on Mar 3, 2009 14:38:37 GMT -5
As they say: it is easier to do it now and apologize later, than it is to ask for permission?
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Post by uberrider on Mar 3, 2009 22:53:12 GMT -5
haha I'll figure something out. The posters are just one of the projects I have in mind  |
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