TheLoneWolf
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Harmony Gold has no jurisdiction over anything occurring in Japan. Their contract with Tatsunoko Production states: Regarding Harmony Gold's history of blocking toys, that only pertains to Macross toys, not Mospeada toys. For example, they never blocked the importation of CM's Mospeada toys, which was a pretty extensive release. The reason can be found in the arbitrator's report: In summary, as long as these toys are only being released in Japan, Harmony Gold has no say in it. Online retailers are free to import them on the gray market since Harmony Gold's litigation provision only applies to Macross. If Sentinel wants to actively market these toys in the USA, then they'll have to work with Harmony Gold and Toynami. Conversely, if Harmony Gold and Toynami want to officially import these in the USA, then they'll have to reach out to Sentinel. As you stated above, it's possible that Harmony Gold is quietly in the process of working out a distribution deal on their own. But, given that Harmony Gold is desperately trying to market anything Robotech for the sake of the LAM, it would be absolutely bizarre if haven't finalized anything this late in the game.
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Harmony Gold's input isn't necessary since these updated Ride Armors are only released in Japan, not the USA. While BBTS and other online retailers will be importing them in the USA, that doesn't qualify as an official Harmony Gold release. Considering that Beagle's old Ride Armors were officially released in the USA as "Cyclones" by Harmony Gold and Toynami, I'm surprised that neither of them are jumping on these updated toys. Maybe those Cyclones tanked so hard that they're sitting out this release?
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I have to admit, it surprisingly looks better in person. I like its beefy proportions. For better or worse, its proportions resemble vintage Macross promotional art. But the nosecone looks too pointy in guardian mode. I can understand that nosecone concessions have to be made with transforming toys, but it's unforgivable with fixed-pose statues. I also don't like the blue-tinted canopy. I didn't like it with the HMR VF-1J and I don't like it here either. They also messed up the Super Armor boosters. There shouldn't be interior panel lines for an insignia, insignia panels lines are only on the outside of the boosters. Normally I'd think that they did it as a cost-saving measure, but it looks like it's been molded as one solid piece. Speaking of panel lines, they went nuts with them. It reminds me of bad 90's artists who threw random cross-hatching and lines anywhere they could.
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I completely agree. A subtle, but persistent watermark that refers back to your channel is the best way to combat this sort of theft. I understand that you might be worried that a watermark may irk some viewers, but honestly, they're becoming so common now most viewers wouldn't mind. Plus, your videos are well worth it. -
Got my SNES Classic today from Target and it went better than expected. There were 13 people in line by the time I got there at 7:30. When the doors opened at 8:00 there were about 19 of us. It looked like they got about 40 in stock total, so I didn't even need to get there early. edit: I'm surprised that neither side of the box has any tape or seal keeping it shut. All you have to do is unfold the flap and it's open. Is this normal?
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Nice one, hyperkin. This would've been great if it was available at launch, instead of 3 weeks later.
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Robotech and REMIX by Titan Comics
TheLoneWolf replied to Old_Nash's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
Omg, in that panel, Minmei really does look your photoshopped Courtney Love! -
Because the arbitrator concluded that if Harmony Gold loses their rights to SDF Macross, then Harmony Gold should also lose the "Macross" trademark. Both companies agreed to be legally bound by the arbitrator's decision, so that's pretty much the end of it.
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Great article! I'm glad to see that Arcadia would like to make a TV SDF-1.
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One thing to keep in mind is that the VF-1's are based off old 2010 molds, whereas the rest of the HM-R line are modern designs. Also, the HM-R is supposed to be a flagship line, which is reflected in these newer designs. I don't know what Bandai's intentions were for the 2010 lineup, but they certainly weren't trying to make waves with it. When the HM-R VF-2SS comes out, we'll get a good look at what Bandai can really do transforming with toys at this scale.
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Leonard French does a pretty good job at summarizing the issues, but he made a few factual mistakes. According to him, Tatsunoko Production "was the original creator of...the original works that lead to Robotech, which were Macross..." and licensed/lost out certain rights to Big West and Harmony Gold. However, this is a gross inaccuracy in regards to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. In reality, Studio Nue created SDF Macross, with Big West as Studio Nue's primary sponsor. To reiterate, the staff members of Studio Nue planned, designed, wrote, scripted, and directed SDF Macross. This is no secret, just look at the closing credits of SDF Macross and it's all there. Tatsunoko had no creative input over SDF Macross, so crediting them as the show's creator is wrong. All Tatsunoko did was supply the animators to animate roughly half of the series. And even then, Tatsunoko didn't use their own animators, instead farming out the work to their subsidiaries, such as the Korean studio Star Pro. Again, all of this information is in the show's credits sequences. So how did Tatsunoko and Harmony Gold acquire certain, limited rights to SDF Macross? If you didn't read my old post here, I'll briefly summarize it. Since Big West didn't have the money to pay for Tatsunoko's animators, they gave Tatsunoko a) the right to distribute the show outside of Japan, b) the right the merchandize the show outside of Japan, and c) a portion of the show's local (Japan) merchandising sales. Tatsunoko later licensed a) and b) to Harmony Gold. French appears to be under the impression that these rights were licensed or won by Tatsunoko in court, when in fact, Studio Nue/Big West outright gave these rights to Tatsunoko in 1982. The Japanese court cases from the early 2000's reinforced these three rights, and in addition, gave Tatsunoko the television broadcast rights to SDF Macross in Japan. Obviously, that latter has nothing to do with the rest of the world. And, as we all know, the Japanese courts correctly ruled that Studio Nue and Big West never intended to give Tatsunoko the rights to the designs and story of SDF Macross as payment for Tatsunoko's animators' work. To French's credit, Harmony Gold's US court filing routinely omit Studio Nue and Big West's contributions to SDF Macross, so it's no surprise that he wasn't aware of their ownership rights. And as he readily admits, it's an already complicated situation. Unfortunately, since French is an attorney, his statements regarding Tatsunoko as the "creator" of SDF Macross will now probably be viewed as canon by the US fandom and cited as such going forward.
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This lawsuit has nothing to do with the Battletech controversy. Harmony Gold is suing Tatsunoko Production in order to enforce an arbitration order against Tatsunoko. Long story short, Tatsunoko was ordered to reimburse Harmony Gold's legal fees, which arose out of an arbitration dispute between the two. So far, Tatsunoko hasn't paid Harmony Gold back and Harmony Gold is asking a district court to force Tatsunoko to pay. I would write more, but I'm literally about to walk out the door for a trip. I'll try to go into more detail when I arrive at my destination.
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It looks like Stick's been smoking some protoculture. Other than that, I love the sculpt!
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Battletech kickstarter computer game.
TheLoneWolf replied to koonfasa's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
Yes, that's all it means. The SDCC toy actually comes with Jetfire's vintage 1985 bio card, which features artwork of him in his Super VF-1S form. But that artwork wasn't what the lawsuit was about. According to Harmony Gold's court filing, they objected to "...a toy in a box labeled, 'G.I. Joe and the Transformers... The Epic Conclusion.'" -
Do you have any links for that info? I never expected Tatsunoko to be actively involved with the LAM, but I'd be shocked if they weren't even a signatory to the contract.
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I'm not a fan of all the extra, random details that are on that SDF-1. And the fact that you can't transform it makes it an easy pass for me.
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There's little chance that Harmony Gold will lose their license. Tatsunoko Production has renewed it three times already, so it's safe to say that they'll renew it a fourth time, if they haven't already. Even if Tatsunoko Production were to drop Harmony Gold, it probably wouldn't affect Sony's contract. Sony's contract was most likely with Harmony Gold and Tatsunoko. If HG drops off, then the contract would carry on through Sony and Tatsunoko.
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LOL! In Toynami's defense, 16 years ago most people thought that Ben piloted a generic CF. It wasn't until Toynami released their Morphers box set that they, along with most of the fandom, realized that Ben had a unique color scheme.
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Books Nippan/U.S. Renditions - A Blast from the Past
TheLoneWolf replied to Duke Togo's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
Woooow, I love the guerilla style layouts that they used. And some of the names are still recognizable today, like David Keith Riddick and Robert Napton. Thanks for posting those scans! -
Judging by this picture, I assume that Toynami will finally be releasing Ben's 1/100 VF-1A, which should include his standing and cockpit figures.
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Glad to hear that these are being released stateside. My only gripes involve the yellow tips on the missiles. But it's nothing that some gray paint can't fix.
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When I transformed Evolution Toys' VF-2SS, the first thought that ran through my head was "Damn, this feels like a Toynami toy" due to the toy's cheap plastic and looseness. It's fitting that Toynami will now be distributing ET's Legioss' in the US.
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That's it? I could've sworn there were more. Thanks. If the movie could speak, I'm sure it'd say "Hold my beer."
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Has anyone been keeping count as to how many directors have been attached to this debacle? After a decade of no progress, naming another director isn't something to get fans excited about. It's a reminder of the hopelessness of this movie.
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Thanks for the heads up! I really hope that Calibre Wings can release those Macross F-14D's here in the US, because I'd snap them up in a heartbeat. I always thought it was a shame that they only saw a limited release at WonderFest.