Copyright and the future of your customisers

[Dave Dibb (Armorpax)]

All,

It is with regret that I must post on a subject I had hoped not to. Commercial copying of custom parts seems to be the norm these days and today it has been brought to my attention that my parts are being directly copied. Having examined the items being shown there is no question of it. I have approached the company in question and will either publish details at a later date or deal with the issue privately depending on whether they provide me with a suitable answer and recompense.

In a hobby such as ours that is relatively small you have to be an idiot to think that word does not get around and that people do not recognize their own hand crafted items. To copy without any attempt to change the item is lazy as well as stupid.

The truth of copyright theft is that if it continues unchecked for long enough those of us losing custom by it will not have the resources, or frankly the inspiration to keep producing new items at our cost just for someone else to profit from. Apart from the customisers own income the ultimate loser is the hobby as the parts we make will gradually dwindle.

As I know the rumour mill only too well the present issue is in Europe but in order to protect my business and future parts for you the hobbyist I am today ceasing dealing through any distributors including those in the US. I will be writing to my distributors individually to explain and apologise for the inconvienience this will cause them. I am not withdrawing their rights to sell stock already held but have to try and protect my investment. Over time if parts are only suppplied by me it will be easier to track any copyright breaches and these will be dealt with.

Once all the issues are resolved and I am happy my business is secure I may again release my parts to the distributors I trust.

Armorpax has only ever used one type of resin and this is cream in colour. Any grey or green castings are not ours and are pirated.

Regards,

Dave

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

Hi Dave

You have my support for obvious reasons. Copying and recasting of other peoples work for profit or otherwise without permission is unethical and in some cases illegal. I am really surprised no one else has shown their support in this forum.

Regards
Mike Stannard
6th Scale Icons Inc.

[Steve Stuart]

I think I will speak for the majority of members that we would line up behind you both in support.
I do not think there is much to be said about those who copy other peoples work for their own financial gain, exploiting with out regard for the well being of the society that they also inhabit, and causing detriment to all who inhabit that society at the end of the day.
It is not suprising that various people produce the same items, and we can then choose from the range offered. I would expect each to be unique productions, unless the manufacture has taken over the masters from someone else, totally legitimate and appreciated by those who purchase. So it is appalling that people are taking the work of others and copying and selling them to people like me who would not knowingly support such activity.
So I now have replied, but I think that what Dave and Mike have said is what we take our lead from, and there is not much more to be said other than that we will do our best to give support.
Steve Stuart

[Steve Norris]

Hi Dave.
Just seen this post, Hope you can quickly resolve this problem. I think we all appreciate your efforts in this hobby and would not wish to see yourself or any other genuine producer of detail parts driven out of business.
Regards
Steve

[Brian Leach]

Hello All,

Haing made a few parts myself, knowing the time and blood I have invested in my projects, I must support this.

This is theft in the truest sense of the word.

[Derek Attree]

Hi Dave
I hope you get this sorted out asap. Your parts are
first class and Its hard to think how anybody could hope to get away with this.
As punters we should avoid buying these copy parts and only buy direct from the producers.
this will safe guard our hobby.

You have my support.

Derek

[phil fitzpatrick]

I give my full support and agree with all that has been said.
I have only ever bought off people and small business's recommended on
the Forum,and will continue to support them all.
Cheers
Phil

[Garry Coomber]

I fully support stamping out this practice. I only ever purchase from people and suppliers I know and trust I have seen the results of rogue suppliers in the past, don't need any more.

[Tim Bowman]

Two simple words:

Buy direct.

Tim