SS Blog: Fraud Alert Update - Unlicensed Original Works

[FQRizzo]

Mirroring what we have seen on these boards recently...

Fraud Alert Update - Unlicensed Original Works

Monday, August 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Sideshow Collectibles continues to work hard to protect the collector community from fraudulent activities by unscrupulous individuals and organizations. Since our first production blog post on the issue, we have received many e-mails, which have helped us to police the sale of bootleg reproductions and identify the common offenders. We thank you greatly for your help and hope that you will continue to report the suspicious eBay auctions, resellers, and websites that you encounter.



We must now alert you to another form of fraud. A number of artists and small studios, many based in Asia, are selling copies of their own original and unlicensed artworks using descriptive terms created by Sideshow, such as Premium Format or Comiquette, in an effort to confuse purchasers by insinuating that these copies are either Sideshow items or of Sideshow quality. Don’t be fooled - these pieces are not authentic Sideshow products nor are they equivalent in quality. These are not endorsed by Sideshow or by the licensors to whom these characters belong. Although we respect the artistic talent represented in some of these efforts, we cannot stand idly by and allow these unethical manufacturers to profit from their piracy while abusing the goodwill of our collecting community, our licensing partners, and our own established and popular product styles.



We will be taking steps to curtail the activities of these illicit manufacturers, and we would like your help to do so. If you are aware of unlicensed manufacturing and reselling, whether it is bootleg or original, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and report it.



If you are an artist with questions or concerns about this issue, please contact us. We welcome you to submit your work to Sideshow for consideration, as we are always looking for talented artists to join our team. You may send an e-mail, including your portfolio or a link to a website where we can view your work to [email protected].

 

[Darth Cruel]

You know, to be completely honest, I really believe that this issue should be between the buyer and seller. I fear that one day this could spill over to the sharing of custom figures.

 

[TOE]

like I said, send in your work to Sideshow. They are always looking for new talents.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Done that.... Got told that they weren't hiring but would keep me in mind. That was a year plus ago.

I've pretty much given up hope.

 

[DinoLast]

We must now alert you to another form of fraud. A number of artists and small studios, many based in Asia, are selling copies of their own original and unlicensed artworks using descriptive terms created by Sideshow, such as Premium Format or Comiquette, in an effort to confuse purchasers by insinuating that these copies are either Sideshow items or of Sideshow quality

You have to admit that this is something that needs stamping out.
There are a lot of new collectors who are not sure what is and what's not a Sideshow product.

 

[TOE]

i was wondering about those usage of words. I wasn't sure whether Sideshow trademark those descritive words or not. Now we know.

 

[Darth Cruel]

You have to admit that this is something that needs stamping out.
There are a lot of new collectors who are not sure what is and what's not a Sideshow product.

Whether it needs to be stopped is up to the buyers and sellers...not Sideshow.

I could go in to a big long diatribe about why I feel that way, but to make it short, I believe that existing laws are being mis-inturpreted to allow this behavior from business and the behavior is working it's way to spilling over to aspects that are considered trivial right now, but may be banned if this behavior from business is not checked. Simple stuff like trading customized figures.

 

[316what]

i was wondering about those usage of words. I wasn't sure whether Sideshow trademark those descritive words or not. Now we know.

No, we really don't know. The response from SS says "created" not trademarked.

 

[Shai]

you gotta admit, That Gambit and juggy were spectacular....

 

[316what]

you gotta admit, That Gambit and juggy were spectacular....

And that Deadpool.

 

[occulum]

most of those guys should use their extreme talent towards their own creations, characters, sculpts rather than ripping off trademarked characters & properties.

Theyre too worried about making a buck rather than using their talent to it's best abilities.....

 

[Darklord Dave]

Legally, if the seller is trying to create confusion in the buyers mind about whether it is or isn't a Sideshow product, then it's deceptive advertising. So using the phrases coined by Sideshow for specific types of product is illegal if it's NOT a Sideshow product.

If you don't protect your trademark you lose it - like we all call facial tissue Kleenex now, even though not all facial tissue is Kleenex brand.

 

[Shai]

kleenex :

 

[Darth Cruel]

like I said, send in your work to Sideshow. They are always looking for new talents.

I don't have the talent to make them. I want to continue to be able to get them.