clean up, typos fixed: often times → oftentimes, Ebay → eBay (2), Walgreen's → Walgreens
← Older revision
Revision as of 18:53, March 13, 2013
Line 1:
Line 1:
−
[[Image:Bootleg.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. His knees are happy to see you.]]
+
[[Image:Bootleg.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. His knees are happy to see you.]]
A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.
A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.
Line 5:
Line 5:
==What's a knockoff?==
==What's a knockoff?==
−
[[Image:Armada_megatron_ko.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Knock off can never show how jerkish [[Megatron (Armada)|he]] was!]]
+
[[Image:Armada megatron ko.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Knock off can never show how jerkish [[Megatron (Armada)|he]] was!]]
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]],
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]],
[[Takaratomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs.
[[Takaratomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs.
Line 22:
Line 22:
==Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)==
==Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)==
−
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only a couple of cases exist from the 1980s in which Hasbro shut down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs--even in the main dealer room just a few yards away--and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers.
+
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only a couple of cases exist from the 1980s in which Hasbro shut down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs—even in the main dealer room just a few yards away—and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers.
==Knockoff companies==
==Knockoff companies==
Certain knockoff companies have earned reputations via their rather distinctive ways of altering the original product:
Certain knockoff companies have earned reputations via their rather distinctive ways of altering the original product:
−
* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant ''[[Generation One]]'' molds and making massive [[retool|retools]] of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator]] bootleg that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s that combine in an entirely different way. The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] head.
+
* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant ''[[Generation One]]'' molds and making massive [[retool]]s of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator]] bootleg that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s that combine in an entirely different way. The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] head.
−
* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys "R" Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and ''Generation One'' graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (often times Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys' had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.
+
* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys "R" Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and ''Generation One'' graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (oftentimes Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys' had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.
−
[[Image:JBootleg.jpg|thumb|right|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
+
[[Image:JBootleg.jpg|thumb|right|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, and ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very ''Godzilla''-themed knockoff of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. It is not known how many, if any, patents Leader Shine actually holds.
* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, and ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very ''Godzilla''-themed knockoff of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. It is not known how many, if any, patents Leader Shine actually holds.
−
* Happy Well - Currently the most well known knockoff company, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with Wal*Mart, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreen's, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the "Galaxy Defender" series. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. Their "Roadbots" line is the only direct competitor to the ''[[Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.
+
* Happy Well - Currently the most well known knockoff company, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with Wal*Mart, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the "Galaxy Defender" series. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. Their "Roadbots" line is the only direct competitor to the ''[[Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.
* Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter
Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.
- The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit ''Generation One'' knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with Beachcomber, but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit ''Generation One'' knockoffs, which now includes [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], many [[minibot]]s, several Decepticon cassette 2-packs, almost all the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]],several Autobot cars, Devastator, and [[Gnaw]]. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.
* Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter
Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.
- The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit ''Generation One'' knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with Beachcomber, but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit ''Generation One'' knockoffs, which now includes [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], many [[minibot]]s, several Decepticon cassette 2-packs, almost all the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]],several Autobot cars, Devastator, and [[Gnaw]]. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.
Line 51:
Line 51:
* China {{m-}} The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kiddi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit ''Generation One'' toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.
* China {{m-}} The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kiddi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit ''Generation One'' toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.
−
* South Korea {{m-}} Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be [[Phoenix King|animated series]] that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to trademark the word were entirely rejected by the courts.
http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea
Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size
http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html
, and/or retooling their alt modes to resemble completely different vehicles.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952
South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.
+
* South Korea {{m-}} Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be [[Phoenix King|animated series]] that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to trademark the word were entirely rejected by the courts.
http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea
Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size,
http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html
and/or retooling their alt modes to resemble completely different vehicles.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952
South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.
−
* Taiwan {{m-}} Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian Ebay. Gig, the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.
+
* Taiwan {{m-}} Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian eBay. Gig, the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.
*Philippines {{m-}} Many continuities were knocked off for low prices. Many of which were poor repaints, with alterations of transformation steps and poorly-designed packaging. 2007 movie Barricade had his whole legs be the rear part of the alt mode. He was painted with red and blue colors. Scavenger's body structure differed and the formation of parts differed. The green and purple color scheme was omitted and each had their own colour schemes. But the most dangerous of all was that the plastic used was more brittle. Cybertron Jetfire's waist can be snapped of permanently and 2007 movie Bumblebee's arms can be ripped off.
*Philippines {{m-}} Many continuities were knocked off for low prices. Many of which were poor repaints, with alterations of transformation steps and poorly-designed packaging. 2007 movie Barricade had his whole legs be the rear part of the alt mode. He was painted with red and blue colors. Scavenger's body structure differed and the formation of parts differed. The green and purple color scheme was omitted and each had their own colour schemes. But the most dangerous of all was that the plastic used was more brittle. Cybertron Jetfire's waist can be snapped of permanently and 2007 movie Bumblebee's arms can be ripped off.
==Transitional companies==
==Transitional companies==
−
[[Image:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|thumb|left|Oh, hi. I cost more than a MISB G1 Overlord. Want to touch me?]]
+
[[Image:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|thumb|left|Oh, hi. I cost more than a MISB G1 Overlord. Want to touch me?]]
[[Image:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|thumb|right|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]
[[Image:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|thumb|right|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is [[Wikipedia:Trendmasters|Trendmasters]], which reproduced a number of ''Transformers'', ''Power Rangers'', and Leader Shine designs without a license for various store chains in the early 1990s. Said company later came into possession of several movie and television tie-in licenses in the later 1990s, including such big names as [[Wikipedia:Voltron#Action_figures|''Voltron'']]. It is possible that Happy Well might also follow this lead, given their success with the original Roadbots figures and subsequent shift away from their bootleg roots.
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is [[Wikipedia:Trendmasters|Trendmasters]], which reproduced a number of ''Transformers'', ''Power Rangers'', and Leader Shine designs without a license for various store chains in the early 1990s. Said company later came into possession of several movie and television tie-in licenses in the later 1990s, including such big names as [[Wikipedia:Voltron#Action_figures|''Voltron'']]. It is possible that Happy Well might also follow this lead, given their success with the original Roadbots figures and subsequent shift away from their bootleg roots.
Line 65:
Line 65:
==High Quality ''Generation One'' Counterfeits==
==High Quality ''Generation One'' Counterfeits==
−
Starting around 2005, high quality ''Generation One'' knockoffs began to appear on Ebay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit ''Generation One'' products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, minibots, cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime).
+
Starting around 2005, high quality ''Generation One'' knockoffs began to appear on eBay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit ''Generation One'' products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, minibots, cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime).
Recently a second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, has begun producing high quality ''Generation One'' counterfeits as well, starting with Metroplex and Metrotitan. Fans of the knockoffs have complained that the box quality on these two releases is not as high as Zhong Jin's knockoffs and the color of the plastic is off. On the other hand, these knockoffs are much cheaper than the Zhong Jin counterfeits, and priced on par with Takaratomy reissues.
Recently a second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, has begun producing high quality ''Generation One'' counterfeits as well, starting with Metroplex and Metrotitan. Fans of the knockoffs have complained that the box quality on these two releases is not as high as Zhong Jin's knockoffs and the color of the plastic is off. On the other hand, these knockoffs are much cheaper than the Zhong Jin counterfeits, and priced on par with Takaratomy reissues.