SurfPark said:
Since we seem to keep finding eBay Muppet Knock-offs, I've decided to start a thread we can keep track of them with.
If I spent time to design a character, I'd hate these counterfeit artists!
I'm tempted to report these people.
Who nominated you the eBay Muppet replica police????
I'm into Star Wars props and costumes also and I know this issue all to well, but this thread is nothing but a eBay replica Muppet police thread that I find just downright disturbing and pretty pathetic.
It is nobodies business here who puts what up on eBay for sale, you take your chances with the big guys with what you sell on eBay and NO ONE here has the right to be a judge and jury as to what is on eBay, period!!
Your taking your chances with Disney, Lucas film, Warner Bros., Paramount, JH Inc, any of the big guys when you put your product replicas put up for sale.
If you get Vero'ed by eBay that is your own fault, but you take your chances.
I have no problems with people selling replicas on eBay wether it is Muppets, Star Wars, Star Trek, what ever, I have done it many times myself with props and costume replicas that I have made, you just take your chances of getting caught.
Is it copyright infringment on making replicas? sure it is, but it will continue on and on, we are NOT the judge and jury on it.
In this world of props, costumes, Muppets, replication is the biggest form of flattery.
I'm making my Kermit puppets and I making a few prototypes before I make my personal final ones for my prop display room, my first one will probably go to my daughter. I know where the rest will probably go and yes, I know I will be taking my chances with the big guys on eBay, but they will probably go to eBay so I can sell them and help finance other projects. I'm not doing it to make a living.
If you keep a low profile and are not making a living off it and are not ripping people off, the big guys generaly leave you alone, from time to time, the copy right holders go on witch hunts and some people get caught.
Thats the way it is with any big lisence holder, some are just more trigger happy then others, WB and Paramount come to mind as they pull many auctions.
I have belonged to movie prop/ costume forums for 7-8 years and this has been proven over the years I have belonged on those forums, it is the same thing here with Muppets, if you get too big for your britch's you wil raise red flags on eBay, if you keep a low profile, the big guys generally leave you alone.
This forum is about the love of everything Muppets and puppets, it should not be used as a eBay police forum.
Lynn