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Post by Ben_B on Aug 13, 2019 6:25:31 GMT -8
There were announcements of a lot of interesting new airplane kits coming soon, but I haven't seen anything about new race cars. Were there any? I know NuNu and BeeMax have some sports cars in the pipeline. Hoping someone will finally see fit to produce a Huracan GT3.
Ben
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Post by starfighterace on Aug 13, 2019 10:34:17 GMT -8
Not that I saw. Heard lots of rumors but I cannot share them, as they are just rumors. I spent most of the convention next to Atlantis Toy and Hobby and Freetime Hobbies. I chewed on their ears quite a bit. Hopefully something will come of that.
The good news was Revell USA is up and running after a several month absence. RoG is hoping to have 2-3 USA Market releases every month. The only news was some Sprint Car re-issues.
Scale Motorsports will issue an upgrade set for the Ford GT (2017) along with the Wynn's decals from the 2019 LeMans effort. Late August/early September 2019. $125 estimated cost. Photo-etch, Turned Aluminum, and Resin wheels. I'm pretty sure the Corvette C7R was also coming back.
The only announcement I made was the 1/25 Chaparral 2A and 2E decals for cars. Those should be later this month.
The other bit of news I got was Ferrari is no longer licensing Model Kits. Let's hope this will change. I know two projects are stalled because of this.
If I remember anything else, I'll share it here. Hopefully others who attended will post as well with anything they learned.
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Post by Ben_B on Aug 14, 2019 6:03:06 GMT -8
Thanks for the info! I'll keep my fingers crossed that some GT cars will eventually show up and in the meantime, I still have a TBD and SBD with Starfighter decals to build. Ben
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Post by Chris K. Hale on Aug 14, 2019 7:22:15 GMT -8
Thanks Mark, It seems things remain the same in the Hobbv....
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 26, 2019 5:18:44 GMT -8
Mark, I wonder why Ferrari decided not to continuing licensing model cars. Does that just apply to new cars both street and racing, or killing licenses for existing models as they expire so continued releases won't be happening.
Joel
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Post by starfighterace on Aug 26, 2019 7:44:13 GMT -8
Mark, I wonder why Ferrari decided not to continuing licensing model cars. Does that just apply to new cars both street and racing, or killing licenses for existing models as they expire so continued releases won't be happening. Joel From the two manufactures I spoke with, they were stymied about the decision. You can buy Ferrari Panties, Key Fobs, DieCast cars, posters, can koozies, and just about anything else under the sun. I do remember years ago Mattel was the only way you could get any Ferrari Die cast/toy cars. Tamiya for model cars. Now all I see are MFH kits. As I can't ever afford to look at one, I do not know they are licensed or not. Many items out of the orient forgo any of the licensing stuff, saying "come take it if you can" (one company did, that's another story for another time and only in person). Maybe someone on the forum can check their kit and see.
Many companies demand exclusivity for signing licensing as well. That may be playing a role.
I blame lawyers and greed. It's getting worse and worse in the Plastic Modeling industry. What was once seen as "Free Advertising" is now another lost revenue stream to lawyers. Too bad their short shortsightedness is actually costing them in the long term. I can rant on this forever.......
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 26, 2019 7:57:57 GMT -8
Mark, Thanks for the info, as this has been an on going issue for many years. Nascar and Indy Car decided not to license plastic models period and go with 1/18 scale diecasts. I'm sure that they make way more that way as they're sold at the tracks, as well as for specific races. Then the companies sell them online to the rest of the collectors.
As for out of the Orient, the majors like Tamiya, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Beemax, etc are way to big to chance a lawsuit so they license their kits. Home cottage industries produce small limited runs of unlicensed cars, and for the most part are just over looked as it doesn't pay to go after them. I would assume that MFH doesn't bother with licensing either. While their kits cost a fortune, just how many do they sell to make it worth while for a car manufacture to file suit? And even if they did, they would have to file in the country that the business is in, which means hiring an outside law firm. I do see the day when Licensing will put the majors out of business, and what's left of plastic modeling will be all cottage type of companies.
Joel
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Post by Chris K. Hale on Aug 26, 2019 22:44:43 GMT -8
From what I understand, MFH Ferrari kits are Licensed, part of the high cost actually, but their licensing is going to run out at the first of the year. That is one reason you they been producing tons of Ferrari kits now. They dont anticipate a renewal and Ferrari has confirmed that. The article I read said if you want a MFH Ferrari kit Buy It Now because they will not be available after the first of the year Reminds me of when Bosch sent Cease and Desist letters to every kit maker, Decal maker or anyone who reproduced their logo . They made some of the aftermarket suppliers, like Stradasports, actually go through every decal sheet in their inventory and cut the Bosch Logos out , I know because I have a few sheets that have had it removed.. Really a tiny replica of a vintage Bosch Logo that goes on a Model Car. I sent them a letter in disgust as did thousands of Car Model builders. They never did respond but I have seen a few show up on more current products. To me this kind of action crosses a line, I have not bought a Bosch product since. I am pretty sure the use of the logo didnt hurt their bottom line but not buying, refrigerators, power tools, cars made with Bosch electronics, not buying anything Bosch due to this act of greed will !!! Boycott Bosch products !!!
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 27, 2019 11:02:43 GMT -8
Chris, It's industry wide and only getting worse. At one point the Armed Forces wanted royalty money too, and it ended up in federal court. The Military lost because they didn't make any of the planes, armor, & ships. At some point the model industry could just grind to a halt over this.
I don't think that Ferrari has to worry about us modelers not buying one of their cars any time soon. I'm not so sure I could even afford to buy a body logo.
BTW, I just bought a simulation "Motorsport Manager" and they avoided all the licensing issues by not using any real names for anything or anyone. Doesn't effect the game play, only my poor play does as I'm still struggling with the basics. But the sim definitely looses something without the real names, cars, tracks, and places.
Joel
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Post by starfighterace on Aug 28, 2019 8:01:05 GMT -8
Actually, Joel, you do need a license to use US Military Insignia. Thanks to some poor decisions of some young ladies of our Armed Forces wearing their uniforms in a way to bring dishonor upon themselves, the US Military now requires the option to say "Yes or no" to the use of US Military insignia, uniforms, equipment, and property to prevent this from ever happening again. In typical over-reaction by US Congress critters, you now have to obtain a license to use them. As of today, August 28 2019, this applies to major manufactures who have a gross yearly profit of $x (I don't know the exact figure) a year. The US D.o.D reserves the right to litigate against anyone who mis-uses this privilege.
Again, I need to keep my powder dry. So much to say......
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 28, 2019 12:09:52 GMT -8
Mark, is that that same as licensing to produce plastic models of Military equipment? Joel
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Post by starfighterace on Aug 29, 2019 10:00:25 GMT -8
Yes, you are seeing the "Officially Licensed by the_____(USAF, USN, USMC, USA)" on model kits now. Atlantis announced a few weeks ago they got one for the USN: www.atlantis-models.com/pressreleases/Atlantis%20Navy%20Press%20Release.pdfYou see the same stickers on all of the Revell kits of current US Military equipment (F-22, FA-18s, M-1 Abrams) as well. I think the Academy KC-135 and B-1B kits has them too. I usually set up next to Revell at the IPMS/USA Nats and their rep told me the story of "why" a few years ago.
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 29, 2019 10:14:43 GMT -8
Mark, I still don't see how any branch of the military can license their equipment that they purchased from various manufactures. Are you saying that they're licensing their names as in Decals? If so, and they go after the AM guys, for all practical purposes, you can kiss the USA plastic military hobby goodbye. And I can easily see that directly happening to AM decal makers for model race cars.
Joel
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Post by starfighterace on Aug 30, 2019 4:50:44 GMT -8
I don't want the discussion to become political so I have to say, that it is the state of things. Elections have consequences and those who have the power do not always use it in a way that is beneficial. Look how some well meaning do-gooders got congress critters legislate to remove beer and alcohol sponsors from "toys" i.e. our favorite Racing model kits that went all the way to removing them for the sport. Same scenario. A couple of female enlisted personal wanted some extra spending money and were paid to be photographed wearing their uniforms while showing the world their "girlie goodies" and this is how it progressed. Toys in the Museum Gift Shops at Smithsonian and Air Force museum must have this sticker or they cannot be sold. Same with any other museum affiliated with the US Military. No, I don't agree with it. I hasn't affected me or other aftermarket folks. Doubt it ever will. When one of the major players fought the Trademarking of US Military equipment, he won only to see an end-around by Congress Critters that made all of that hard work and lawyers fees a moot point. This is one of the major reasons Plastic Model Manufactures see a shrinking profit margin and why subjects that are produced are shrinking. No, it is not logical. This is what happens when someone demands something to be done about some moral offense in today's litigious society.
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Post by Patrick on Sept 12, 2019 15:05:51 GMT -8
Oh crap! Lord have mercy!!
Patrick
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