BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat

BattleTech Miniatures and Terrain => Iron Wind Metals News and Announcements => Topic started by: glitterboy2098 on 05 September 2018, 14:40:04

Title: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 05 September 2018, 14:40:04
because the people who make the Z.O.D. game line have started directly copying clan omnimechs.
(not sure if i can link to their sales site directly, but if you go to souldark.ru and check out their Z.O.D. section you'll find them)

like the "Great Wolf Death"
(http://souldark.ru/wa-data/public/shop/products/05/03/305/images/1540/1540.970.jpg) (http://souldark.ru/wa-data/public/shop/products/05/03/305/images/1543/1543.970.jpg)

the "Dire Forest Felinid"
(http://souldark.ru/wa-data/public/shop/products/08/03/308/images/1560/1560.750.jpg) (http://souldark.ru/wa-data/public/shop/products/08/03/308/images/1563/1563.750.jpg)

it has direct copies of the Dire Wolf, Timber Wolf, Mad Dog, Warhawk, Nova, and Viper. so far.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: trboturtle on 05 September 2018, 15:02:41
PM Speck -- he should know who to talk to.....

Craig
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 05 September 2018, 15:06:09
not sure how much can be done when it is a (IIRC) russian company, but if nothing else Catalyst and IWM should send a C&D letter.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Phobos101 on 06 September 2018, 02:34:45
I think CGL could take a leaf from theeir book when it comes to mech naming though.... I particularly like the sound of "winged dog deadeater"  :toofunny:
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Punishermark on 06 September 2018, 06:29:43
I hate to say it but they look better than anything out there now. Even though they are clicky-tech size.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: bear on 06 September 2018, 09:05:01
looked at some of the other parts of their site, and they have copied some GW products as well in their space ship line
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: JadeHellbringer on 06 September 2018, 11:21:49
I think CGL could take a leaf from theeir book when it comes to mech naming though.... I particularly like the sound of "winged dog deadeater"  :toofunny:

I know what I'm naming my someday-daughter now.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 06 September 2018, 11:40:15
PM Speck -- he should know who to talk to.....

Craig
done. also, having remembered it just before, linked to the warhansa "robomechs" stuff. it is mostly clones of the MWO and MW4 designs, but there is some CGL stuff in there. and i'm sure someone in CGL might be able to let PGI and HBS know that their computer models are being ripped off.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: NeonKnight on 06 September 2018, 11:46:10
It's especially annoying when we get served with a Lawsuit, and then this crap is taking place

Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 06 September 2018, 12:01:55
pretty sure links direct to the site like that are a violation of Rule 9. which is why i didn't provide links in my posts.

agreed though.

edit: ugh.. found another one.. Stratominis and their "hardbots" line.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: JadeHellbringer on 06 September 2018, 13:13:07
pretty sure links direct to the site like that are a violation of Rule 9. which is why i didn't provide links in my posts.

agreed though.

edit: ugh.. found another one.. Stratominis and their "hardbots" line.

Yeah, rather you not link to them directly here. Letting Speck and such know via PM or e-mail is preferred, thank you.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Hythos on 06 September 2018, 13:24:41
They've also popped up on Ebay too.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Cache on 06 September 2018, 20:28:31
FYI, posting the name of the company and product line is the next best thing to providing a link. It isn't against the rules, but it does provide free publicity to those companies. You're giving people everything they need to look up the bootlegs themselves.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: RoundTop on 07 September 2018, 11:56:51
The problem is that Russia (like China) doesn't enforce copyright claims. So given it is a russian website, there is little that can be done if they decide that they don't feel like taking it down.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Greatclub on 07 September 2018, 15:13:05
My first thought on seeing those was to wish they were official. Is that wrong?

Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: SamTheMan321 on 14 September 2018, 01:25:25
Man and those clan mechs are plastic too? That's really terrible...that's *Runs away and grabs wallet*
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: idea weenie on 15 September 2018, 12:39:35
Man and those clan mechs are plastic too? That's really terrible...that's *Runs away and grabs wallet*

Don't use your debit card or credit card directly, get a pre-loaded card and transfer money onto it as you decide.  That way if the account number/expiration date/CVV is unsecured, the thief gets nothing
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Valkerie on 15 September 2018, 15:51:23
Probably would be best to take this discussion somewhere else.  I doubt TPTB want to see this go on any further. C:-)
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: DarkSpade on 15 September 2018, 16:42:49
edit: ugh.. found another one.. Stratominis and their "hardbots" line.

That one is more of a grey area I think.  While the stuff in the first post is clearly a direct ripoff, the Stratominis stuff isn't.

For example, compare the macross mechs to the new classics and there's clearly similarities there, but not enough for HG to shut them down.  Kinda the same thing with Stratominis' stuff.  Yeah, the mech has the same type of armament as a Warhammer, but it's hardly the only mech in any universe with two gun arms and a missile box on its shoulder.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Maingunnery on 15 September 2018, 17:04:38
That one is more of a grey area I think.  While the stuff in the first post is clearly a direct ripoff, the Stratominis stuff isn't.

For example, compare the macross mechs to the new classics and there's clearly similarities there, but not enough for HG to shut them down.  Kinda the same thing with Stratominis' stuff.  Yeah, the mech has the same type of armament as a Warhammer, but it's hardly the only mech in any universe with two gun arms and a missile box on its shoulder.
In my opinion, the Stratominis' stuff seems to be based on popular battletech fan art.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 18 September 2018, 20:04:45
possibly. but worth them getting a look by CGL's legal people.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: pheonixstorm on 19 September 2018, 16:25:02
Depending on location they could just not care or like many youtubers they just don't have a firm grasp on copyright and fair use. Case in point those who think posting a fair use disclaimer makes things all right.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: abou on 19 September 2018, 16:27:53
It's probably less an IWM issue than it is a CGL/Topps concern. But if this company is in Russia, there is probably little anyone can do about it.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Sartris on 19 September 2018, 19:49:04
Ortillery
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: General308 on 23 September 2018, 19:07:55
possibly. but worth them getting a look by CGL's legal people.

You assume CGL has legal people
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: CrossfirePilot on 23 September 2018, 22:28:38
You can always hope that they accidently copy some old Robotech stuff and then watch HG go after them?
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 24 September 2018, 14:57:13
You assume CGL has legal people
i'm assumign they at least know a lawyer who can advise, based on their comments regarding CGL's stances in the HG-vs-PGI/HBS lawsuit.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: klarg1 on 26 September 2018, 11:21:48
You assume CGL has legal people

I would expect this to get escalated to Topps, if anybody was going to try to take action.

I agree that not much will likely come of this, but it's worth flagging. It ensures that the the companies involved are aware of it, and have the information needed to make informed decisions on this front.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Colt Ward on 28 September 2018, 14:11:56
What annoyed me was the shirts and crap appearing on FB . . . tried to report a violation to them, but b/c I am not a company representative apparently I am not a proper reporting agent.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: General308 on 30 September 2018, 16:56:32
deleted
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: glitterboy2098 on 05 October 2018, 13:06:43
does IWM have official licensing? or is this some remanant of an old Ral partha thing? this just popped up on FB in a painting group:

(not going to share the name of the poster in public)
Quote
"Old ones I know but my first BattleTech Miniatures arrived today! Let the painting begin!"
(https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/43207540_10217613832516471_951985935019409408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&oh=9829ab8d8f7ccb548f3e48120cfabbb2&oe=5C18CF47)

Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Cache on 05 October 2018, 19:31:47
Those are old packages. Probably over 30 years old during the Ral Partha days.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: Dragon41673 on 05 October 2018, 21:32:09
Those are old packages. Probably over 30 years old during the Ral Partha days.

Man...I don't even remember those, and I'm well older than 30! LOL
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: RABIDFOX50 on 06 October 2018, 15:41:53
We see this often in the firearms industry. High quality gun accessories like LaRue, Magpul and Daniel Defense being copied by Chinese makers. Stuff is cheap and in some cases dangerous to use. I’ve had a few Deputies show up to training with crap Chinese knockoff parts on their patrol rifles and made them remove the parts. As to miniatures, God only knows if the metals and plastics those knockoffs are made from aren’t toxic.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: speck on 06 October 2018, 19:27:13
does IWM have official licensing? or is this some remanant of an old Ral partha thing? this just popped up on FB in a painting group:

(not going to share the name of the poster in public)

Cache is correct, they are old and from the Ral Partha days. Most likely from back in the day when Ral Partha licensed manufacturing to other companies in other countries. Just look at the orange packaged one, it even says that.
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: DEZOAT on 17 November 2018, 05:01:45
 :o WOW!! Those are some old minis. Pre Ral Partha Europe they are not knock off. Mlnifigs I think is a UK company that became Ral Partha Europe , I' am not 100% sure on that. Man I' m getting old. Later
Title: Re: how would one go about reporting sites which are infringing BT's IP?
Post by: TS_Hawk on 09 March 2019, 16:28:37
That one is more of a grey area I think.  While the stuff in the first post is clearly a direct ripoff, the Stratominis stuff isn't.

For example, compare the macross mechs to the new classics and there's clearly similarities there, but not enough for HG to shut them down.  Kinda the same thing with Stratominis' stuff.  Yeah, the mech has the same type of armament as a Warhammer, but it's hardly the only mech in any universe with two gun arms and a missile box on its shoulder.

And you do know that krieg means war in German right and it's called the kriegshammer. But he was given permission to to build it by the guy who actually designed it who does work for CGL