Art Figures AF-15 Heavy Armored Special Cop - He is the Law!

[Jmek]

I wouldn't put much stock in the "possible official figure" as a condolence for the cancellation of this one. Its a long way from licensing to production, and is be surprised if it ever sees the light of day.
There is also the very real chance that any figure will be nowhere near the level of quality of this one. For all we know, it could some crappy MEGO figure or something.

Screw 2000AD and them trying to get in the way of us getting our figure. I hope Art Figures manages to get this out. And when they do, il be the first in line to order one.

I can see your point. There's been hardly any decent Dredd merchandise, and collectors have been crying out for a Dredd figure for years. Now a very fine bootleg's come to light, and Rebellion seem to have woken up and sprung into action to protect their IP. It is their IP though, that's the fact of the matter. The good thing that's come from this fracas is that it's shown there's a market for this. So hopefully Rebellion aren't telling porkies, and there are plans for an officially licensed figure. And hopefully it will be up to the same quality of the Art Figures. It would be so sad if this turns out to be a case of sour grapes on Rebellion's part and fans end up with bugger all. But I guess we'll just have to wait & see.

 

[ditch]

Whats happening with ThreeA i thought they still had the 2000ad license surely they will see the interest in this figure and may be it will prompt them to do some thing more with the license.

 

[Asta]

Whats happening with ThreeA i thought they still had the 2000ad license surely they will see the interest in this figure and may be it will prompt them to do some thing more with the license.

I heard a rumour they were switching the line to 1/12, which would be a bit of a pain if you were collecting their ABC Warriors.

 

[boylost99]

I heard from my local asian supplier that this is still on in Asia. So woohoo!

hopefully...

 

[Lejuan]

Pretty sure these will be available to those who want it. Apple couldn't stop a Steve Job's figure coming out. Even if AF get squeezed, there'll likely be a high-end Dredd coming from somewhere soon enough.

 

[Asta]

I heard from my local asian supplier that this is still on in Asia. So woohoo!

hopefully...

Pretty sure these will be available to those who want it. Apple couldn't stop a Steve Job's figure coming out. Even if AF get squeezed, there'll likely be a high-end Dredd coming from somewhere soon enough.

"I am the lawless."

 

[Asta]

2000 AD have confirmed that several firms HAVE approached them - and are now about to pull out of negotiations because of this figure.

What's that smell?

...it's a fact that the companies Rebellion was talking to are threatening to pull out if they don't try and stop this unlicensed figure. Not our interpretation, not Rebellion making stuff up. Fact. That's those companies' call - they probably think there's not enough of a market for a niche figure (cuz who wants to buy a doll based on a failed movie, as far as they're concerned? And don't give me that 'this figure shows there's a market' - it shows nothing of the sort) and so ANY sales of an unlicensed one get in the way. As with everything, Dredd has its fans but it's simply not on the scale of the numbers of fans that Marvel can call, so any unlicensed sales just undermine confidence that people will be able to turn a profit on licensed stuff. And unlicensed stuff 'spurs' companies on?! What planet are you living on?!

...

I'm Mike, the PR guy for 2000 AD (feel free to Google me). I can confirm that this unlicensed figure very nearly scuppered two approaches from major firms looking to produce licensed Dredd figures. Luckily, because we're taking action to clamp down on this unlicensed figure, talks are back on track. Cheers, Mike.

Action? Short of setting fire to the factory in Hong Kong there's nothing you can do...even marvel can't stop knock off iron man and punisher figures from being sold 'major firms' should know this

Well, you're incorrect on that count but I'm currently unable to go into details. However, as I said negotiations with a major manufacturer are back on course for an official figure, so hopefully we'll have some good news soon!

 

[Punishment1218]

PEOPLE! WAKE UP! It's NOT gonna happen! Not by Chinese, Ebay, Jesus, or anyone! You can get your hopes up all you want. These Chinese vendors can keep it up for preorder all they want. It doesn't make a bit of difference. 2000AD is NOT, I repeat NOT gonna let some bootleg knockoff get sold for $150 without their approval. It's just NOT gonna happen. If they made one themselves, the thing would be around $250 plus. Unless, the higher ups strike a deal this week...it will be cancelled. The only deal there will be is for Art Figures to pay, and I mean PAY them to use this. If AF has some way of releasing this....they will be sued beyond belief. There has already been a cease and desist order served. So....anyone who has high hopes and dreams of this happening.....forget about it.

 

[slamscaper]

Where are those quotes coming from kuat

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[Deckard]

PEOPLE! WAKE UP! It's NOT gonna happen! Not by Chinese, Ebay, Jesus, or anyone! You can get your hopes up all you want. These Chinese vendors can keep it up for preorder all they want. It doesn't make a bit of difference. 2000AD is NOT, I repeat NOT gonna let some bootleg knockoff get sold for $150 without their approval. It's just NOT gonna happen. If they made one themselves, the thing would be around $250 plus. Unless, the higher ups strike a deal this week...it will be cancelled. The only deal there will be is for Art Figures to pay, and I mean PAY them to use this. If AF has some way of releasing this....they will be sued beyond belief. There has already been a cease and desist order served. So....anyone who has high hopes and dreams of this happening.....forget about it.

Are you new? Cease and desist means **** when no one in that country cares. You know how many companies on this very forum got cease and desist orders and still delivered the products?

The Walking Dead comes to mind most recently. Dexter Customs. Breaking Bad. Projects had to stop being public, went underground and now everyone has their figures.

Do you honestly believe this convo took place?

"Hello China, this is a random U.S. lawyer, we need you to send a SWAT team to shut down this action figure toy company. We don't know where they are located at all and it's upto you to find and stop them in a country of billions."

I'll post pics of mine when it arrives to reassure you that you were wrong.

 

[HeubertMichael]

Why would the copyright holder of a product object to bootleggers making bank, without paying for the license to produce a figure that the copyright holder has invested considerable money and time, in developing?


I mean come on, artists, musicians, authors, etc would just be paying their bills with that money.. the wrong 'uns!.. Everyone knows the Interwebz means everything should be copyright free.. or at worst, paid for by the Bank of Mom and Pop (ie. interest free with a 'probable no repayments' clause).. I didn't get where I am today by respecting intellectual property!
Thats the problem with these creative types, they are obsessed with money.. whatever happened to artists starving in rat infested tenements?.. look at Van Gogh, topped himself without making any money to speak of.. now that was an artist who appreciated the importance of cheap prints for art fans!


If 2000AD haven't produced a product, it will generally mean one of three things -

*1. There are copyright issues with the original author/artist or previous publisher.. since 2000AD has had a number of different owners -
"..first published by IPC Magazines in 1977, the first issue dated 26 February. IPC then shifted the title to its Fleetway comics subsidiary which was sold to Robert Maxwell in 1987 then Egmont UK in 1991. Fleetway continued to produce the title until 2000, when it was bought by Rebellion Developments." - Wikipedia

*2. No-one has offered them an attractive license fee for producing the product

*3. A film company own the licensing rights to a product from its film, rather than 2000AD.. and this would appear to be the most likely issue, regarding a 1/6 figure bootleg of Urban's Dredd.


Remember the latest Dredd film did not make a spectacular impact at the box office.. "$45m production budget.. Box Office of $41m global ($13.4 million from North America.).. Alex Garland said that a North American gross of over $50 million for Dredd would make sequels possible" (London Film and Comic Con in July 2012).. so the film seriously underperformed from a purely financial aspect.. even after adding in "..approx. $10 million in home media sales in North America". - Wikipedia


I loved the new film and would welcome more merchandise.. and the original Fiberglass 1:1 Dredd Helmets licensed by 2000AD is on my grail list.. but I am being pragmatic, there does not appear to be a high expectation of profit, from producing licensed merchandise at this point.. the fact most 2000AD licensed character merchandise ( with the possible exception of T-Shirts) has been fairly thin on the ground for decades, indicates a fairly cult license.

Wow. I wonder what you do for a living, man. But I think your lack of respect for intellectual property says a lot, and is quite disturbing. And your use of Van Gogh for an example is not applicable as well. You say he appreciated cheap prints for the fans? What fans? He only had very little fanbase WHEN HE WAS ALIVE. Cheap prints? He was DESPERATE. He wanted attention. It was only after he died that people started seeing that there's something good in his art.

I wanted this figure. I would have bought it if it's available -- not because it's cheaper than Hot Toys, not because it's bootlegged. It's because it's a good 1/6 representation of Dredd in the 2012 movie, and it's not like we have other, well, LEGIT choices for a 1/6 Dredd at the moment. But if there was, is, or would be a legit version that would look at least just as good as what AF was supposed to offer us, I'd go for the legit one.

I am bummed that this figure might no longer see the light of day, but I can't blame the copyright owners for doing WHAT IS RIGHT.

 

[BazookaJoe]

Yeah I don't understand how anyone can say it's not gonna get made when art figures themselves are still promoting it. The only people that have been told not to stock this are UK/US retailers because Rebellion know that China is basically untouchable when it comes to copyright law.

And also the "ongoing talks with companies" to make a licensed fig is bull. Although the film has gained quite a following since it's release it's still a little bit of a niche product. Wasn't that the last Dredd figure the Legendary Comic Book Heroes one years ago? But suddenly now there's ongoing talks to release a dredd figure, two years after the film came out and just as this bootleg is set for release. I think it's damage control and they know that whilst they can shut down channels that will see this get a wide release, they can't stop production entirely. By telling people to wait and guilt tripping them with the "buy this figure and you ruin it for everyone" spiel they can limit the sales of this as much as possible

(I'd just like to clarify I have no problem with Rebellion protecting their ip. Whether they want to do anything with the 1/6 license is totally up to them)


EDIT: I would like some clarification either way though so it stops rip off artists like this - https://www.ebay.com/itm/ART-FIGURE...154?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item4d1d0b79e2- taking advantage of people.

 

[Asta]

Where are those quotes coming from kuat

Here: https://www.facebook.com/MakeADreddSequel?filter=2

Look under 9th May in 'Posts by others'.

 

[HeubertMichael]

I find it baffling that there's not a legit high-quality 1/6 Dredd figure in the market that's considerably new. Either 1/6 figure makers have little faith that Dredd would sell, or the copyright holders are just being a hardass.

I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

 

[Wulf]

Where are those quotes coming from kuat

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

From "Make a DREDD Sequel" facebook page. Go to the section "Recent post by others" and scroll down.

Edit: Kuat beat me to it.

 

[BazookaJoe]

I find it baffling that there's not a legit high-quality 1/6 Dredd figure in the market that's considerably new. Either 1/6 figure makers have little faith that Dredd would sell, or the copyright holders are just being a hardass.

I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

Me too. I'd struggle to believe that one of the smaller companies wouldn't touch it considering some of the niche licenses that get made, especially as I imagine that many Dredd film fans are also figure/statue collectors.

 

[Asta]

I find it baffling that there's not a legit high-quality 1/6 Dredd figure in the market that's considerably new. Either 1/6 figure makers have little faith that Dredd would sell, or the copyright holders are just being a hardass.

I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

Me too. I'd struggle to believe that one of the smaller companies wouldn't touch it considering some of the niche licenses that get made, especially as I imagine that many Dredd film fans are also figure/statue collectors.

I agree, it doesn't make sense.

Medicom made Hit Girl from Kick-Ass 2, plus Playtoy even made a knock-off version.

I'd have thought that Dredd had an even greater prospect of selling and making money considering he's be around since 1977, and considering the international interest shown in the Art Figure. A figure that out pre-orders a Hot Toys Superman must have something going for it.


News just in from the OSW thread:

Emailed the folks at Art Figure through their site. Individuals cannot purchase through them but the figure is still go with them...

 

[Lejuan]

PEOPLE! WAKE UP! It's NOT gonna happen! Not by Chinese, Ebay, Jesus, or anyone! You can get your hopes up all you want. These Chinese vendors can keep it up for preorder all they want. It doesn't make a bit of difference. 2000AD is NOT, I repeat NOT gonna let some bootleg knockoff get sold for $150 without their approval. It's just NOT gonna happen. If they made one themselves, the thing would be around $250 plus. Unless, the higher ups strike a deal this week...it will be cancelled. The only deal there will be is for Art Figures to pay, and I mean PAY them to use this. If AF has some way of releasing this....they will be sued beyond belief. There has already been a cease and desist order served. So....anyone who has high hopes and dreams of this happening.....forget about it.

you're tied up in nots mate

 

[joebizz34]

I can respect the fact that the figure may not happen due to license issues. But for people to come here and say that they may have trouble sleeping at night because it is a bootleg figure and they feel guilty about ordering it....I think that's a bit much.

 

[BazookaJoe]

On a sidenote has anyone ever been hit by customs fees ordering from KGHOBBY? My other orders have all been under the threshold but this is the first time I've ordered a boxed fig from them and was wondering whether they mark down or not?