Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:08:56 -0700
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
From: Steve Axtell <steve-AT-axtell.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fw: Did anyone find a way to remove


Master Replicas has paid for and been granted an 
official license to make Muppet 
Replicas....http://masterreplicas.com/store/muppets/muppets/

Has anyone notified them about the rip offs on ebay?
Ax


At 08:58 AM 10/25/2007, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm a puppet and figure builder myself and this person's eBay auctions have
>been discussed on many related community boards with mixed results. The
>majority feel the same way that you guys do, but there are many who think
>that the stated legal claim they make on their listings and website about it
>being an artists "interpretation" is enough to avoid the copyright issue. I
>don't agree, and I used to be one of those many people that were angry about
>the eBay auctions myself. But, I came to the conclusion that most of these
>characters are owned by Disney now... which is a pretty big bear to be
>poking. I'm sure Disney (or who ever is the right scource) has been made
>aware of these auctions and I think that if they wish to pursue their
>rights, then they would do so in their own time.
>
>I don't sell Muppet replicas because I believe it's illegal and I don't want
>to be known as someone who copies someone elses work. I'd rather be known
>for my own characters. However, I have made kid style grover and elmo
>puppets for my kids and relatives as gifts so I'm not sure what the
>legalities of that are... I've heard some say that fan art is legal and I'm
>not sure if gifts to my kids, neices & nephews would be considered within
>the range of allowable fan art... but it's probably a very gray area. I
>think the morality of copyright infringment is a personal decision each
>artist makes based on their own belief or interpretation of the copyright
>law. I don't know the builder your referring to personally, but I've read
>their argument and the argument implies that they feel what they are doing
>is perfectly legal.
>
>As another eBay seller of puppets and puppet making supplies, I can tell you
>that as a result of the flood of eBay auctions, I receive many requests for
>the same replicas. I think some people are hoping to get them cheaper or
>from someone with a standing eBay reputation. There IS a market out there
>for them, some people just can't afford or don't want to pay that much for
>them. My response to these inquiries is that I feel that selling replica's
>are illegal and I don't do it, so I point them right back to the person
>selling them on eBay. I think the obvious risk is probably the reason why
>the prices are so high to begin with... but that's just my oppinion. Why
>else wouldn't they provide clear contact information on their website such
>as name, address, and phone number?
>
>One thing is for sure.... when you have their auctions pulled, eBay refunds
>all of those listing fee's. So, essentially, you are providing that person
>with the best FREE advertising that they can get. I figure, leave the
>auctions alone... it increases their chance of getting caught (if what they
>are doing is illegal), and it forces them to pay for all of those listings.
>
>Just my two cents,
>Michele Acquin-Sovereign
>www.puppet-planet.com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org [mailto:puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org]
>On Behalf Of Dave Goboff
>Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:27 AM
>To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
>Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fw: Did anyone find a way to remove the rip-off
>puppetsfromEBay?
>
>
>
>If I buy a 'Rolex' for $10 from a guy with a floppy coat, I'm not getting
>ripped off (I'm being stupid).
>But I buy a Rolex for $595 because it is represented as a real Rolex, then
>I'm getting ripped off and so is Rolex.
>
>There's a market for all kinds of stuff (from child pornography to swampland
>in Florida) but allowing it to continue unquestioned makes us all the poorer
>and our world a sadder place to live in.
>
>Since this puppet maker offers to build to order, I'm guessing that the very
>nice pictures are lifted from actual Muppet photos and the puppet is built
>after the check clears.  As a puppet enthusiast and collector wouldn't YOU
>like an authentic, can't tell the difference from a real one, Rolex?
>
>Dave Goboff
>
>
> > From: segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net
> > To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> > Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:40:56 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fw: Did anyone find a way to remove the rip-off
>puppetsfromEBay?
> >
> > The question in my mind is who would buy these???????
> > If there is no market there can be no seller...........
> > Right??????
> > Mark
>
>
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Steve Axtell
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
****************************************
Amazing Puppet Character's Website - http://www.axtell.com
"AxTelevision" on DVD - http://www.axtelevision.com
International Performer's Directory - http://www.axtell.com/performers.html

The original content of this email or attachments is =A9 Axtell Expressions, Inc.
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