Jump to content

Robotech and HG license debates


Recommended Posts

I was just about to type that. Think about it. If the person original got the rights from Big West, during that time other companies in Japan has to be releasing items, why would they give the rights over to someone else as well. Also wasn't the purpose of it being dubbed before was to help with learning english and then was released to the public? There would be no need to include product rights with something like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't paid that much attention to this thread outside of the Animeigo masters discussion,and the VFX-4 before that then I noticed this little surprize.

Someone should keep an eye on the Robotech comic, see if the "YF-4" has transformed yet.

Edited by Anubis
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd been staying out of the thread for a while, hoping that the cease-fire was going to be permanent. Oh, well...

[Radar O'Reilly] Choppers!!! [/Radar O'Reilly]

Now it's just a matter of time until BoK rears his head again...

Edited by Pat Payne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Someone should keep an eye on the Robotech comic, see if the "YF-4" has transformed yet.

New Gen story at the moment, so apart from the Conbat looking like one...

Of course a Macross Saga backup on what happened to Mars Base Sera in the RT universe might pull some magical mecha out there...

Cyc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Show of hands.  Who here like me had pretty much forgotten about HG and this whole debate?

**raises hand**

As far as this topic goes, all I want is to not have to get crap off the internet and deal with shipping and sit here wondering when my crap's going to get here.

That's what makes me mad about this whole mess, that I can't get the good stuff without sitting here wondering when it'll come in. I'd rather drive my ass to the store and get it that day.

Edited by Druna Skass
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Show of hands. Who here like me had pretty much forgotten about HG and this whole debate?

hmmm... I never really ventured much into this thread but something called me over towards it... hence my SW quote... weird. A great disturbance in the force indeed, I don't have a good feeling about this. Hopefully these negotiations will be short....

:rolleyes: ...and all those other quotes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hate those moderators at Ro-bo-crap.com

What's HG's address anyway?

Oh yeah...

Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

Attn: Alan Letz

7655 Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90046-2700

Phone: (323) 851-4900

Fax: (323) 851-5599

DO NOT go sending hate mail to HG considering we do not know the real workings of what's going on. We don't know yet wether it's HG being brazen or wether a deal has been struck regarding DYRL.

Give it time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Show of hands. Who here like me had pretty much forgotten about HG and this whole debate?

and 91WhiskeyM6, grow up. No one needs to be sending anyone at HG hate mail over a 20 year old cartoon.

Me. Except for a few ramblings about the recently released RT remastered and who owned what footage etc.. I can't stand this stuff.

and 91WhiskeyM6, grow up. No one needs to be sending anyone at HG hate mail over a 20 year old cartoon. <_<

Maybe finally something has been solved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hate those moderators at Ro-bo-crap.com

What's HG's address anyway?

Oh yeah...

Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

Attn: Alan Letz

7655 Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90046-2700

Phone: (323) 851-4900

Fax:  (323) 851-5599

DO NOT go sending hate mail to HG considering we do not know the real workings of what's going on. We don't know yet wether it's HG being brazen or wether a deal has been struck regarding DYRL.

Give it time.

Wha? little ol' me?

;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Although they were astoundingly vague about any details, on the RT.com site they have stated that these are officially licensed products. So for whatever it is worth, it sounds like HG or Toynami have obtained the U.S. right sot produce toys based on Macross DYRL? . This makes me think that a U.S. region 1 DVD of Macross DYRL? Might not be as far a stretch as I had believed a few weeks ago.

If they obtained the rights, but not Exclusive rights in the United States, this could actually open the door for international officially licensed Macross DYRL toys to be retailed in the U.S.

If they obtained exclusive rights, I think this could potentially be another major major screw-job for U.S. fans.

I don't know the rules on importation of copyrighted materials but theoretically if HG got the U.S. rights for DYRL? would that make it illegal to import products not licensed in this country for resale?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just the Bateman guy saying "I assure you they are legitimately lisenced" after saying "without getting into details" doesn't quite solidify that they are in fact legit. Especialy when there are no details available from anyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know the rules on importation of copyrighted materials but theoretically if HG got the U.S. rights for DYRL? would that make it illegal to import products not licensed in this country for resale?

(Regarding the rest of the post: what Anubis said.)

You're correct that if HG had a legitimate exclusive right to DYRL in the US, it would be illegal to import and distribute DYRL stuff that wasn't licensed by HG. However, there would one major loophole: you could still import stuff for personal use. So if you ordered directly from overseas via Hobbylink Japan, Toy Wave, etc., you shouldn't have any problem.

Places like Valkyrie Exchange, TMPAnime, etc., might have more difficulty, since they import stuff for resale. However, HG would have to furnish proof of its rights, something they've refused thus far to do.

I'm not a lawyer, so please don't take the above as legal advice. It's just speculation based on my reading of the law.

Relevant portions of US copyright law are US Code Title 17, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6. The loophole is Section 602 (a) (2).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that Tom Bateman's statement is technically "unofficial", and therefore most probably hasn't been sent through the legal-wringer to assure complete accuracy.

I know this is going far, but he never said who had "officially licensed" it to whom.

For all we know, he could've meant that HG had officially licensed it to Toynami, based on HG's assertion of Macross ownership.

Edited by the white drew carey
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know the rules on importation of copyrighted materials but theoretically if HG got the U.S. rights for DYRL? would that make it illegal to import products not licensed in this country for resale?

(Regarding the rest of the post: what Anubis said.)

You're correct that if HG had a legitimate exclusive right to DYRL in the US, it would be illegal to import and distribute DYRL stuff that wasn't licensed by HG. However, there would one major loophole: you could still import stuff for personal use. So if you ordered directly from overseas via Hobbylink Japan, Toy Wave, etc., you shouldn't have any problem.

Places like Valkyrie Exchange, TMPAnime, etc., might have more difficulty, since they import stuff for resale. However, HG would have to furnish proof of its rights, something they've refused thus far to do.

I'm not a lawyer, so please don't take the above as legal advice. It's just speculation based on my reading of the law.

Relevant portions of US copyright law are US Code Title 17, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6. The loophole is Section 602 (a) (2).

Explain me something... how is importing illegal? If its trully illegal... why haven't I seen Nintendo, Sony, MS and many other companies run after retailers who sell import games? WHy haven't I seen Habro run after retailers who sell japanese versions of TF toys that are also available in the US? In Hasbros case.... they lose a pretty big part of their sales to ppl who by the Takara TF toys simply because they might be better or somethhing.

Sounds extremely fishy to me, but then again... it might be illegal... and they just don't care enough to go through the hassle of running after those retailers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know the rules on importation of copyrighted materials but theoretically if HG got the U.S. rights for DYRL? would that make it illegal to import products not licensed in this country for resale?

(Regarding the rest of the post: what Anubis said.)

You're correct that if HG had a legitimate exclusive right to DYRL in the US, it would be illegal to import and distribute DYRL stuff that wasn't licensed by HG. However, there would one major loophole: you could still import stuff for personal use. So if you ordered directly from overseas via Hobbylink Japan, Toy Wave, etc., you shouldn't have any problem.

Places like Valkyrie Exchange, TMPAnime, etc., might have more difficulty, since they import stuff for resale. However, HG would have to furnish proof of its rights, something they've refused thus far to do.

I'm not a lawyer, so please don't take the above as legal advice. It's just speculation based on my reading of the law.

Relevant portions of US copyright law are US Code Title 17, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6. The loophole is Section 602 (a) (2).

Explain me something... how is importing illegal? If its trully illegal... why haven't I seen Nintendo, Sony, MS and many other companies run after retailers who sell import games? WHy haven't I seen Habro run after retailers who sell japanese versions of TF toys that are also available in the US? In Hasbros case.... they lose a pretty big part of their sales to ppl who by the Takara TF toys simply because they might be better or somethhing.

Sounds extremely fishy to me, but then again... it might be illegal... and they just don't care enough to go through the hassle of running after those retailers.

they think its too little to invest the legal staff?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Abombz!!- Technically, there are laws governing all types of importing. The term "grey area" actually refers to the literal enforcement of those laws.

It's legal to import single items for personal use. It is illegal to import them for the purpose of reselling them.

Here's the grey area: How enforceable is the law when someone is importing and reselling products which are otherwise not available?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Explain me something... how is importing illegal? If its trully illegal... why haven't I seen Nintendo, Sony, MS and many other companies run after retailers who sell import games? WHy haven't I seen Habro run after retailers who sell japanese versions of TF toys that are also available in the US? In Hasbros case.... they lose a pretty big part of their sales to ppl who by the Takara TF toys simply because they might be better or somethhing.

I forgot to respond to this part:

Nintendo, Sony and the others actually lose a tiny fraction of their business to importers. In reality, much too small to expend the resources to combat.

Smaller companies, like HG, who effectively re-started their toy licensing business, has a lot to fear from importers, since for the past 15-20 years, the importers have been (and still remain, IMHO) the sole source for quality Macross merchandise- A large and direct source of competition for HG's sudden aspirations. The risk to HG is much greater than the risk is for much larger companies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know the rules on importation of copyrighted materials but theoretically if HG got the U.S. rights for DYRL? would that make it illegal to import products not licensed in this country for resale?

(Regarding the rest of the post: what Anubis said.)

You're correct that if HG had a legitimate exclusive right to DYRL in the US, it would be illegal to import and distribute DYRL stuff that wasn't licensed by HG. However, there would one major loophole: you could still import stuff for personal use. So if you ordered directly from overseas via Hobbylink Japan, Toy Wave, etc., you shouldn't have any problem.

Places like Valkyrie Exchange, TMPAnime, etc., might have more difficulty, since they import stuff for resale. However, HG would have to furnish proof of its rights, something they've refused thus far to do.

I'm not a lawyer, so please don't take the above as legal advice. It's just speculation based on my reading of the law.

Relevant portions of US copyright law are US Code Title 17, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6. The loophole is Section 602 (a) (2).

Explain me something... how is importing illegal? If its trully illegal... why haven't I seen Nintendo, Sony, MS and many other companies run after retailers who sell import games? WHy haven't I seen Habro run after retailers who sell japanese versions of TF toys that are also available in the US? In Hasbros case.... they lose a pretty big part of their sales to ppl who by the Takara TF toys simply because they might be better or somethhing.

Sounds extremely fishy to me, but then again... it might be illegal... and they just don't care enough to go through the hassle of running after those retailers.

It is, but it isn't... in most cases, the retailers don't make a stink because it's so small scale. Kevin at Valk Excahnge and Spidey at Blasto import such small amounts that nobody cares -- except for HG, of course. Now, if Toys R Us was to import wholesale the TF reissues, then Hasbro might sue for restraint of trade or ask US Customs to step in (Customs would probably get involved anyway, just to make sure that the toys met safety requirements and to be sure that the gummint gets its cut of the tariffs). The same with Nintendo. Most of the imports are going to Little Tokyo, for Japanese expats who still have their Japanese systems and can't (for obvious reasons) get the latest Doraemon game here in the states. Nintendo probably doesn't feel it has to worry because of:

a) the language barrier

b) the price barrier

c) the "doesn't have the right hardware" barrier.

(although with fans, none of those three things mean a whole lot :p )

Edited by Pat Payne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like there has been a minor development on the legal front in Japan:

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20040214-00002076-mai-soci

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20040213...00181-kyodo-ent

The first reads:

<テレビアニメ>マクロスの著作権、竜の子プロ側に確定

 人気テレビアニメーション「超時空要塞マクロス」の著作権を巡り、制作会社「竜の子プロダクション」と企画会社「スタジオぬえ」が争った訴訟で、最高裁第2小法廷(福田博裁判長)は13日、スタジオぬえ側の上告を棄却する決定をした。竜の子側に著作権を認めた東京高裁判決(昨年9月)が確定した。(毎日新聞)

[2月13日22時26分更新]

Translation via excite.co.jpg:

It decides to the copyright [ of <television animation> MACROSS ], and child pro side of a dragon.

The 2nd petit bench (Fukuda 博裁判長) of the Supreme Court made the decision which rejects 上告 by the side of studio ぬえ on the 13th involving the copyright of popular television animation "super-space-time fort MACROSS" by the lawsuit for which the work company "the child production of a dragon" and the plan company "studio ぬえ" fought. The Tokyo High Court judgment (September, last year) which accepted copyright in the child side of a dragon was decided. (Mainichi Newspapers)

[Renewal of 22:26 on February 13]

The second reads:

竜の子プロの勝訴が確定 「マクロス」作品の著作権

 テレビアニメ「超時空要塞(ようさい)マクロス」をめぐり、アニメ制作会社「竜の子プロダクション」(東京)が、企画会社「スタジオぬえ」(同)などに著作権の確認を求めた訴訟で、最高裁第2小法廷(福田博裁判長)は13日、ぬえ側の上告を退ける決定をした。竜の子プロに作品の著作権があることを認めた1、2審判決が確定した。

 作品の基礎になるキャラクターの図柄については、別の訴訟でぬえ側に著作権を認める東京高裁判決が確定している。

 「マクロス」は、巨大宇宙艦マクロスと宇宙人の戦闘を描いたアニメ。1982年10月から83年6月まで放映された。(共同通信)

[2月13日17時30分更新]

Translation:

Winning the case of the child pro of a dragon is decided. Copyright of the "MACROSS" work

The 2nd petit bench (Fukuda 博裁判長) of the Supreme Court made the decision which can sew and will turn down near 上告 for 13 days involving television animation "super-space-time fort (when like) MACROSS" by the lawsuit to which the animation work company "the child production of a dragon" (Tokyo) asked the plan company "studio ぬえ" (同) etc. for the check of copyright. 1 and 2 referee decision which permitted the child pro of a dragon for there to be copyright of a work were decided.

About the pattern of a character which becomes the foundation of a work, the Tokyo High Court judgment which can sew by another lawsuit and accepts copyright in a side is decided.

"MACROSS" is the animation describing the battle of huge space warship MACROSS and an alien. It was broadcast from October, 1982 to June, 83. (Kyodo News)

[Renewal of 17:30 on February 13]

What I believe this means is that Studio Nue appealed the judgment over the SDF Macross animation, which was originally decided in Tokyo District Court in favor of Tatsunoko Productions and subsequently upheld by the Tokyo High Court. The "2nd petit bench" of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, however.

I have a hunch the appeal may have been related to "problems with the judgment" raised in IP/Cyberlaw Watch.

In any case, it's unlikely that the appeal affects ownership of the Macross franchise as a whole.

I'm going to see if I can find the actual text from the Supreme Court. If I do, I'll post a link.

Edited by ewilen
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...