LIBBY1957DOG
Super Freak
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not sure if this is of interest to many on here or this is the right place to post it ,but it highlights the "looke likee "nature of some of these figures and sculpts were seeing lately
German Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger takes legal action after toymaker releases Nazi soldiers resembling him... named Bastian
Manchester United footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger has launched legal proceedings against a toymaker marketing Second World War Nazi soldier dolls named after him and looking like him.
The 'Bastian' range of toy soldiers has a figure looking like the 31-year-old German midfielder - dressed as a Wehrmacht veteran complete with swastika-bearing eagle on his uniform.
Marketing photographs of the Bastian figure show him posing in his uniform, decorated with the Nazi eagle.
Others show him accessorised and dressed for winter fighting operations, carrying canteens, a backpack and other items.
In one image, he wears the medal ribbon given to soldiers who took part in the first winter offensive in Russia in 1941.
The Chinese company marketing 'Bastian', named DiD and based in Hong Kong, described his appearance to the football superstar as 'purely coincidental'.
It added: 'The figure is a member of a Wehrmacht supply unit, a so-called "kitchen boy".'
A Dutch firm was contracted to begin selling the figures in Europe for £65 each but that looks doubtful now lawyers for Schweinsteiger are involved.
Records show that Japanese businessman Takuya Umezawa is the director of the firm which also produces James Bond dolls and First World War soldier figures.
German newspaper Bild spoke with DiD representative Patrick Chan in Hong Kong, who told the newspaper: 'We offer no figures based on the footballer. The resemblance is purely coincidental.'
He added: 'The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this. Bastian is a common name in Germany.'
[IMG]
[IMG] [IMG]
Media lawyer Ulrich Amelung said it was a clear violation of the rights of Schweinsteiger, and the portrayal of him wearing a swastika uniform was a 'clear case of defamation and insult'.
A spokesperson for Schweinsteiger's management team confirmed to MailOnline it had taken legal action regarding the dolls, adding they were doing 'everything in our power' to prevent their sale.
MailOnline has requested comment from DiD.
The DiD company website states it is based in Hong Kong, with its own factories operating in south China. It was established in 2003.
Although it produces its own figurines, it claims to also manufacture products for other companies, including Hasbro and Bandai.
The company's website stated: 'DID produce over 50 different items a year that no one in the industry can match.
'Thus, realistic, lifelike and accuracy are what you can find in all the DID products such as the widely accepted WWII series action figures.'
I know I shouldn't laugh but
I hope he shows up in Toy Story 4 My favourite bit is:
The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this.
German Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger takes legal action after toymaker releases Nazi soldiers resembling him... named Bastian
Manchester United footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger has launched legal proceedings against a toymaker marketing Second World War Nazi soldier dolls named after him and looking like him.
The 'Bastian' range of toy soldiers has a figure looking like the 31-year-old German midfielder - dressed as a Wehrmacht veteran complete with swastika-bearing eagle on his uniform.
Marketing photographs of the Bastian figure show him posing in his uniform, decorated with the Nazi eagle.
Others show him accessorised and dressed for winter fighting operations, carrying canteens, a backpack and other items.
In one image, he wears the medal ribbon given to soldiers who took part in the first winter offensive in Russia in 1941.
The Chinese company marketing 'Bastian', named DiD and based in Hong Kong, described his appearance to the football superstar as 'purely coincidental'.
It added: 'The figure is a member of a Wehrmacht supply unit, a so-called "kitchen boy".'
A Dutch firm was contracted to begin selling the figures in Europe for £65 each but that looks doubtful now lawyers for Schweinsteiger are involved.
Records show that Japanese businessman Takuya Umezawa is the director of the firm which also produces James Bond dolls and First World War soldier figures.
German newspaper Bild spoke with DiD representative Patrick Chan in Hong Kong, who told the newspaper: 'We offer no figures based on the footballer. The resemblance is purely coincidental.'
He added: 'The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this. Bastian is a common name in Germany.'
[IMG]
[IMG] [IMG]
Media lawyer Ulrich Amelung said it was a clear violation of the rights of Schweinsteiger, and the portrayal of him wearing a swastika uniform was a 'clear case of defamation and insult'.
A spokesperson for Schweinsteiger's management team confirmed to MailOnline it had taken legal action regarding the dolls, adding they were doing 'everything in our power' to prevent their sale.
MailOnline has requested comment from DiD.
The DiD company website states it is based in Hong Kong, with its own factories operating in south China. It was established in 2003.
Although it produces its own figurines, it claims to also manufacture products for other companies, including Hasbro and Bandai.
The company's website stated: 'DID produce over 50 different items a year that no one in the industry can match.
'Thus, realistic, lifelike and accuracy are what you can find in all the DID products such as the widely accepted WWII series action figures.'
I know I shouldn't laugh but
I hope he shows up in Toy Story 4 My favourite bit is: The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this.
because according to DID Bastian is a typical German name? Why not call it Wolfgang or Fritz. 
