Posted on 01/31/2005 7:41:53 AM PST by pabianice
January 31, 2005: For over half a century, kits have been sold that enable military history buffs to assemble scale models of military ships, aircraft and vehicles. But that era is coming to an end, as the manufacturers of the original equipment, especially aircraft, are demanding high royalties (up to $40 per kit) from the kit makers. Since most of these kits sell in small quantities (10-20,000) and are priced at $15-30 (for plastic kits, wooden ones are about twice as much), tacking on the royalty just prices the kit out of the market. Popular land vehicles, which would sell a lot of kits, are missing as well. The new U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicles are not available because of royalty requirements. Even World War II aircraft kits are being hit with royalty demands.
This move grew out of the idea that corporations should maximize "intellectual property" income. Models of a companys products are considered the intellectual property of the owner of a vehicle design. In the past, the model kits were considered free advertising, and good public relations, by the defense firms. The kit manufacturers comprise a small industry, and the aircraft manufacturers will probably not even notice if they put many of the model vendors out of business.
Some model companies will survive by only selling models of older (like World War I), or otherwise "no royalty" items (Nazi German aircraft) and ships. But the aircraft were always the bulk of sales, and their loss will cripple many of the kit makers.
Sad. Really sad. I guess model building goes bye-bye for our young boys now, too. Not many seem interested in such a slow, meticulous activity now, anyway. Most 'models' on the shelf are pre-painted, snap-together, and instantly gratifying.
Question -- how many images of such vehicles are used in video games?
Liberals hate "profit takers".
The market will work around this minor "problem". But of course liberals don't have any faith in the market.
I know you're not a liberal since you are on this site. The question is, where did you develop this liberal trait?
Ummm ... the internet being what it is, I must ask: Is this sarcastic speculation on your part, or is this an actual recitation of the facts?
Sir(s):
It has come to our attention that your company, Garage Modelers Inc., is producing an unauthorized model version of Flying Saucer XD-31b, the copyrights to which reside with our clients, the Slime Tentacled Frazzulators of Zeta Reticuli.....
It's a matter of is it cheaper to cease and desist, litigate or settle? If the kit makers cease and desist, they effectively exit the kit making business. With respect to a decision to litigate or settle, a settlement on terms described by the story would mean the kitmakers effectivly exit the market as kids won't be saving soda bottle return money for a $40 model. So, if the kitmakers want to continue mass marketing kits, they will have to litigate.
I don't think the case would ever make it to trial as the kit makers would likely win summary judgement of non-infringement due to multiple invalidity defenses.
All that is my non-legal opinion based on personal experience.
Second that..!!
> Got any good obscure non-space stuff?
You betcha. Behold (blatant self-promotion mode ON):
http://www.up-ship.com
> Is this sarcastic speculation on your part, or is this an actual recitation of the facts?
It's what I was told by Boeing reps when I first looked into Doing The Right Thing And Getting A License. Maybe the rep lied or was misinformed... but let's face it, it hardly sounds unlikely.
You apparently aren't a graduate of business school. More and more, I am finding that companies exist as a small core of competent people getting something done surrounded by huge numbers of useless, unproductive people searching out meaning for their existence at the expense of everyone else.
Unfortunately, the useless people eventually wind up running the place...right into the ground.
Model Railroading hobbyists have run into the same thing with the Union Pacific, which is now demanding a fee from model companies in order to reproduce their logo.
I guess I should be insulted.
Notice I said nothing about inhibiting their pursuit of profit. I do believe there are other considerations as important, sometimes even more so.
In this case, I would think that encouraging certain interests - such as in our military hardware, or simply working with their hands instead of playing video games or watching TV - in our kids would be beneficial.
But no, someone saw a chance to make a buck.
If someone was building Real F16's from a Monogram kit, that would infringe on intellectual property. Lawyers and accountants are ruining the world.
CarCrazy.net (actually a wide variety of stuff)
Model Roundup.com (vintage kits)
Frontier Models UK (lots of scifi & movie related)
Funny. I regularly go to three hobby stores, and they are well supplied with traditional glue-together model kits.
I disagree...............................with your use of the word "are".
How about a feminist who wants to eliminate "war toys"?
These idots better remember that future VOTERS make these models. FUTURE VOTERS who will buy their stocks. future voters who will support their senators making/keeping the programs ALIVE.
Now if they don't exist , there will be no nostalgia to continue.
I don't see how they can get away with this, since it is not generally their intellectual property. Most of these items have been designed at the behest of the U.S. Military and paid for by the U.S. taxpayers.
Anbd another childhood hobby shot to hell.
My favorite -
http://www.squadron.com/
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