IP licencing/piracy

RE-POSTED FROM HERE AS IT DETRACTS FROM MALLY'S WORK AND DESERVES ITS OWN THREAD

Mally's posting noted that his Bothrag the Hunter had been officially licensed. I responded noting that this was good sculpt while adding that many other figures are not licensed (this has now arisen several times: see here, here and here.

I made several lengthy postings regarding this which rather hi-jacked discussion of the figs (for which I've apologised). However, that actual discussion is legitimate so I've posted two of my main thoughts below:

a) It's an interesting dilemma (unlicensed re-casting wrong; unlicensed fig manufacture OK) which most seem to rationalise along the lines of:

• in both cases the actions are illegal
• in both cases there is an opportunity cost/loss in terms of:
  • a lost sale to the fig manufacturer (which they may never had made anyway)
  • a loss of licence income to the IP holder (which it may be nobody would take up anyway)

So, as I see it, the logic runs as:

• re-castings take money away from (relatively poor) SmallCo fig manufacturers
• the resultant financial loss is relatively major (to them)
• therefore, as they suffer relatively more, it is not OK to 'hurt' fig manufacturers

• unlicensed figs take money away from (relatively rich) MegaCorp IP owners (eg Disney)
• the resultant financial loss is relatively minor (to them)
• and, therefore, as they suffer relatively little, it is OK to 'hurt' IP owners

Now, the interesting thing comes when the fig manufacturer is relatively larger and richer than the IP owner (and so the balance of loss is reversed). So, if BigCo fig manufacturer is making lots of $$$$$s whilst SmallCo IP owner only makes $$s, the question becomes:

Does the same logic/ethical judgement remain or is it flipped, so:

• Because BigCo's fig manufacturer's relative loss is small, so re-casting is OK
• Because SmallCo's IP owner's relative loss is large, so unlicensed figs are not OK

Or is the real rationale:

• fig manufacturers are perceived as 'our friends' without whom our hobby can't survive
• IP owners are perceived as remote MNE, faceless 'enemies' out to screw every buck from us

Discuss.

Hand your essay in by the end of term and make sure that you submit it to Turnitin (you'll know why)

AND I PROMISE THAT I'LL NOW SHUT UP ON THIS TOPIC (peer pressure an' all that )

Sorry... I didn't