How to prevent future counterfeits???

[Mesa]

I posted this in another thread, but now that I think about it, I think it sounds like a good idea, and maybe one worth at least considering.

We're starting to see recasted counterfiet statues that are very difficult to tell from the real thing. Including the packaging, collector's box, and styrofoam. So here's my suggestion...

What can SS do to make it even hard to copy original statues? I think a Hologram sticker placed on the box and/or base, that would be made in the states, might help.

Don't make the sticker in China (just be stolen and copied), and maybe reissue stickers every year, so if they are eventually copied, they won't be applicable to the newer stuff.

 

[nash]

Seriously? Stickers are way easier to counterfeit than statues. go look online for sports jerseys...A lot of them are knock-offs and they have the nike, reebok, and adidas tags with their appropriate holograms and all.

 

[Bannister]

I think each statue needs to come with the blood of a Sideshow staff member in America. You can't fake DNA people, or can you.

 

[Mesa]

Seriously? Stickers are way easier to counterfeit than statues. go look online for sports jerseys...A lot of them are knock-offs and they have the nike, reebok, and adidas tags with their appropriate holograms and all.

I thought they would be more difficult, didn't realize about the knock-off sports apparel. I guess with today's technology, holograms are easier to reproduce.

Alright then, I want a chip installed inside the base, like you tag a dog.

I still think it's in SS's best interest to come up with something. Because if these counterfeiter's get good enough to where you can't tell a difference, what's to stop you from paying much less for a copy that is essentially the same, other than ethics and conscience.

 

[Malice]

is there some type of clear coat they could use that when they try to cast a mold of the piece it start some type of chemical reaction?

 

[Mesa]

Perhaps a self detruct mechanism of some sort that causes a small, contained nuclear explosion if the statue detects it is being recasted. The real IM suit could do such a thing.

 

[Malice]

Perhaps a self detruct mechanism of some sort that causes a small, contained nuclear explosion if the statue detects it is being recasted. The real IM suit could do such a thing.

yeah something that would react!

 

[theguru1]

The problem is, your all looking for a easy, simple solution and there isn't one. If there was, clothes, watches, etc, etc would already be using it.
Sure, you could stick on holograms or stuff a RFID chip inside each statue, but then what, you still need to compare, reference, update, maintain systems and database's and all that to make it all work.
At the end of the day, its just not worth it. The extra cost would far outway any "savings", for statues at least, or the cost would need to be passed on, making the fakes far cheaper and hence more likely to be made.

In the end, all one can do is educate, remain on the look out and inform/report fakes on ebay, in stores, etc.

 

[Bannister]

We could just have Ed buy all the recasts and smash them.

 

[pmtz2005]

Maybe something along the lines of a registration. Register your name along with edition number or better yet a serial number to sideshow or have them do it before they send out your piece, and there could be a dedicated section on their site just for registration and authentication. And if you sell it the new owner can register it under his name. Maybe keep a history record with the number...

 

[Dr Daystrom]

is there some type of clear coat they could use that when they try to cast a mold of the piece it start some type of chemical reaction?

Not plausible, as most casting materials are fairly inert, and it would be tough to make a coating that would be incompatible with all of them and if they are REALLY desperate, they could pull a mold with industrial gelatin on the original, which wouldn't be any more chemically reactive than moisture in the air, and use that to make a cast that could be remolded with sturdier materials.

Holograms were a great idea a decade ago when making them was still a difficult task, now they're not worth the time (there must be entire factories in Asia just cranking out stickers for product knockoffs)

Tracking chips require equipment to read that the average collector isn't going to buy and who's going to take their next eBay purchase down to the local Vet and ask him to scan for a tag?

If something has value, and someone is determined enough to copy it, it's going to happen (Look at the hoops governments are constantly jumping through to stay one step ahead of currency counterfeiters)

Know what you're buying, deal with reputable individuals and try not to lose sleep over this. There just isn't a perfect solution.

 

[Nocturne]

It is a sad state of affairs, but I think with most people if it's cheaper or looks just as good they wont care if it's counterfeit or not.

 

[Shai]

recasts will always exists.Just order your pieces at Sideshow,dont buy on the after market...you snoose, you lose.

 

[nash]

Just like trying to protect your car from thieves. if they REALLY want it, theyre going to find a way to get it no matter what you do.

 

[Nocturne]

Just like trying to protect your car from thieves. if they REALLY want it, theyre going to find a way to get it no matter what you do.

The advantage being there's not much risk of the original sculptor coming in and catching them doing it either.

Although if they're allow pictures to get onto the net it can give you a better idea
https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18906&page=38

 

[Chicky]

I think each statue needs to come with the blood of a Sideshow staff member in America. You can't fake DNA people, or can you.

No way on the DNA!

 

[Webb]

Just be smart and don't buy from eBay.

 

[Webb]

We could just have Ed buy all the recasts and smash them.

LMAO .....

 

[dr_teng]

Dealing with reputable sellers is about the only way to limit the profit they'll make. As has been said above, some people simply don't care if they're buying recasts, and they'd much rather pay a few hundred bucks for a piece rather than $1000+ like some of the more rare pieces go for. As long as there's a market for it, there's going to be bootlegs, all you can do is avoid contributing yourself (and helping others who don't support bootlegs make informed purchases, so they're not supporting them either).

 

[Apone]

id love to see a pic of a recast to see how it compares...is the paint job anywhere near?