Posted on 01/31/2005 7:41:53 AM PST by pabianice
January 31, 2005: For over half a century, kits have been sold that enable military history buffs to assemble scale models of military ships, aircraft and vehicles. But that era is coming to an end, as the manufacturers of the original equipment, especially aircraft, are demanding high royalties (up to $40 per kit) from the kit makers. Since most of these kits sell in small quantities (10-20,000) and are priced at $15-30 (for plastic kits, wooden ones are about twice as much), tacking on the royalty just prices the kit out of the market. Popular land vehicles, which would sell a lot of kits, are missing as well. The new U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicles are not available because of royalty requirements. Even World War II aircraft kits are being hit with royalty demands.
This move grew out of the idea that corporations should maximize "intellectual property" income. Models of a companys products are considered the intellectual property of the owner of a vehicle design. In the past, the model kits were considered free advertising, and good public relations, by the defense firms. The kit manufacturers comprise a small industry, and the aircraft manufacturers will probably not even notice if they put many of the model vendors out of business.
Some model companies will survive by only selling models of older (like World War I), or otherwise "no royalty" items (Nazi German aircraft) and ships. But the aircraft were always the bulk of sales, and their loss will cripple many of the kit makers.
The big companies have a risk that far exceeds any potential legal cost, that being, they have allowed their patents, trademarks and copyrights to be freely used for decades. In such circumstance, a company is at serious risk of losing such rights.
A lot of the vendors do have American made kits, many have old Revell, Monogram, Aurora, etc....... Some of the really old kits can be expensive but most are not. Have rebuilt in adulthood several models that I built as a kid.
Unfortunately, most of the models you can find of modern US military equipment are already made overseas.....in Japan, Korea, Tiawan and China
Actually Harley DID apply to copyright the engine sound. Jap makers were de-tuning their engines to have the same staccato harley sound.
I never did hear what happened with the copyright application.
The sound came in part fromthe fact that Harley pistons are "chasing" each other rather than at opposite ends.
Well once these idiots are out of business they will sell the rights to someone that will again supply a demand. Just give it time.
That's the purpose of business. Social engineering.
But no, someone saw a chance to make a buck.
How dare business try to make a buck?
I guess I should be insulted.
Oh no, it's a fine conservative trait to have those attitudes.
Oh that's just un-American.
I've several friends (yeah, yeah I know, friends don't let friends ride Jap bikes), that insist their bikes sound the same as my H-D, but it's wishful thinking.
There is a huge difference between "potato, potato, potato" and "putt-putt, ring-ding-ding, putt-putt".
Nothing on the Revell site about it...they currently have 48 military model aircraft kits listed. See:
http://www.revell-monogram.com
Site may not be updated much tho., and there is no "latest news" section there either.
Alright!! Now we are flying..!! Oops...can I say flying without the Wright Bros. heirs demanding royalties?
I quite understand what you're saying. After a lifetime of involvement in packaged goods marketing, I'm well aware of trademark protection and its importance.
And, for that very reason, Boeing, et al will go to the mat -- if that's what it takes -- willfully engaging in a legal strategy of attrition, until they drive the last kit-maker out of business.
The biggest litigation budget will win the argument. Under those circumstances, the kit-makers really can't afford to "stand and fight".
> Oh no, it's a fine conservative trait to have those attitudes.
Think of it this way: Every time you wave the Flag, you owe Uncle Sam a buck. How about that?
What about my "Monster model" kits? Are the studios going to want a royalty for a Frankenstein, Wolfman, or Dracula model?
If slavish devotion to profit making where nothing of worth is produced in exchange is the measure of conservativism then yes, you can count me out.
We got my son a Pave Hawk for Christmas and it cost $25.
Name such a business transaction.
is the measure of conservativism then yes, you can count me out.
You were already out.
Preposterous non analogy. But I'll play. I make time for the children a few times a day.
Try this, don't wave the flag, save a buck.
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