Muppet Replicas on Ebay

[MUPPETMONKEY]

I posted this in the puppetry section, but I tought you guys may be interested too;

Maybe you've discussed this a thousand times but I have to admit that I haven't vissited the forums for a while.
I was checking ebay and I found some obviously unathorized replicas of the Muppets.
I must say they are quite good. These were either done by a Henson intern or a real pro. But by checking the incredible perfection of his "Miss Piggy", I have to say he must've had the original puppets in his hands to do this.
They are pricey so don't go break your piggy bank.

Anyway, here they are:

Kermit the Frog:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...108802036QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Miss Piggy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...108821248QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Gonzo:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...108741566QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Beaker:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...108949299QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...109091073QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Zoot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...109139064QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Animal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...109054668QQcategoryZ63821QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Scooter:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-Ve...110273866QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I've seen his puppets on ebay for quite a while. I'm not sure if they're selling well but if by any chance you have the money...well... You can make your own Muppet Show.

 

[spcglider]

I've posted my personal opinion about this subject before and met with no end of critique from board members.

From a strictly legal standpoint, what this person is doing is not lawful. No matter how good the replicas are, what they sell for, or whether or not MHC or Disney overlooks the activity. What this artist is doing is infringing on intellectual property.

Which is a shame, since the work is exceptional.

-Gordon

 

[dpurves]

It looks like you're not the only one who finds this unlawful, as it appears that all of the auctions have been removed.

 

[spcglider]

Yes, but can you BELIEVE the cheek? They listed AGAIN under a different seller name just today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Professional-CU...103313640QQcategoryZ11741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Friggin insane.

-Gordon

 

[Elchippo]

Actually, thats not a very good Scooter. You can tell it was a different pattern

 

[spcglider]

In the case of this puppet, the closely copied details of its appearance indicate that it is a conscious effort to replicate an existing intellectual property. And the builder/seller doesn't have the license to do so. Even if it's made from sweatshirt fleece and felt, from a hand-drafted pattern by the builder, its still an unlicensed replica.

Quality notwithstanding, it is easily identifiable as "Scooter". Any observer who was not as intimately familiar with construction techniques would still identify the puppet as Scooter. And that's what matters in the legal sense.

I'm having a discussion elsewhere about likenesses in licensed property comic books. Every actress or actor owns their own likeness. In the case of their death, the likeness is owned by their estate. You still need to license the likeness from them if you want the character in the comic book to closely resemble the actor who played the part in the show. Its up to the actor or their estate to determine whether or not the likeness is close enough to warrant needing a license. Which is generally why they pare the actor's features down to the bare minimum so it matches hundreds of thousands of people. In classic Battlestar Galactica, Commander Adama was a white-haired old man in a blue suit. If he looks too much like Lorne Greene, you risk needing to license the likeness from his estate. Keep him looking generically like a white-haired old man in a blue suit and you're kosher.

And I would like to reiterate once more... I think this builder has talent. I sincerely wish they would put this idea to bed and start concentrating on making original puppets instead of risking a C&D order... which could actually culminate in a court order to cease building fleece and foam hand puppets altogether if it got too far out of hand. Don't laugh... stranger things have happened.

Anyway, I honestly desire this person to start exercising their talent making original stuff. They got the chops. They just obviously don't have the self-confidence to create anew. Or they think they are going to make a ton of cash while they can under the radar. When all the while they could be free and clear of all that nastiness and making money selling originals and customs.

Too bad.

-Gordon

 

[muppetperson]

At the bottom of the listing in other options is "report this item".You can help ebay keep on top of him and his ever changing names.I am not against fans making replicas for other fans, but when someone rips a fan off by ridiculous prices, that is where I draw the line.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Mam, does anything stop this guy? Mayby it would take a Disney to do that.

 

[spcglider]

Wow,

Okay, I'm convinced now. This person is a member of this forum.

After continued discussion of this subject, and the way things have played out on Ebay and here at MC, I am convinced that whoever the person is that is listing these puppets is a member of this forum and has just re-listed the entire lot of Muppet replicas on eBay as a childish "nyah nyah". Even after having them removed by Ebay the last time around.

What an ego.

-Gordon

 

[Ilikemuppets]

is he just askin' for it, or is he just askin' for it? And I mean from Disney's lawers.