MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Rock and Roll-Out!

2008-02-27T04:54:08Z

69.143.240.237: /* Items of note */

{{disambig3|Rollout}}

[[Image:MarvelUS-14.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Booooorrnnn... on Cybertron! I was boooorrrnnn on Cybertron.]]
{{Template:Comicnav | Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | 14 | seriesname=Marvel U.S. | prev=Shooting Star! | next=I, Robot-Master! | series2=Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)#Marvel UK | seriesname2=Marvel UK | issuenumber2=Issue #53{{n-}}54 | prev2=Shooting Star! | next2=I, Robot-Master! }}
'''A new group of Autobots are born in the USA, and must thwart the Decepticons' attempts to steal sound energy from a rock concert.'''

==Synopsis==
Jetfire has been brought to life by Optimus Prime, and with the [[Rite of the Autobrand]] is made a full member of the [[Autobot]]s. Optimus gives him a tour of his new home. In the medical bay, Ratchet is struggling to repair a large group of warriors recently damaged in battle. Elsewhere, Wheeljack has constructed five new Transformer bodies. He installs within them the minds of five Autobot warriors, which were encoded in crystals before the Autobots left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Prime welcomes the new arrivals, all of whom now "live for a second time."

While holding Grapple back for a special project, Prime sends the other four with Bumblebee to acclimate them to their new homeworld. Wheeljack has been busy {{m-}} the Autobots now have [[facsimile]] circuitry which covers up their Autobot symbols and provides them with mannequin dummy drivers.

Shockwave, meanwhile, has finally returned, arriving at the [[Decepticon]]s' oil platform base just in time to squelch the mewlings of Starscream. He demonstrates the energy converter he's just built, turning some of the oil into [[energon cube]]s. The Decepticons leave, taking the converter and a stash of cubes with them. To evade a human naval fleet that has been surrounding them, Shockwave detonates a cube in mid-air, and the humans are temporarily blinded by the light.

The humans, however, had rigged the oil platform's supports with bugs and overheard the Decepticons' plans to steal "a large release of sonic energy." G.B. Blackrock is also on the fleet and relays the information to the Autobots.

While fueling up at a Blackrock gas station, Skids learns about an upcoming [[Brick Springhorn|rock concert]]. The 'bots put two and two together and go to reconnoiter the concert, while Prime heads that way with reinforcements.

Before Prime can arrive, the Autobots observe a sonic disruption of the show. The Autobots are under orders from Prime not to take any action until he arrives, but it's hard to be a saint in the city, and so they disrupt the device that's causing the problem. The sound goes back to normal {{m-}} and Decepticon jets burst out of the ground. The Autobots have little choice but to make a stand. While the newcomers fend off the jets, Bumblebee prevents Shockwave from incinerating the audience of humans by tossing an energon cube into his barrel, sending him flying helplessly away. The audience is awestruck by the resulting fireworks hailing over them. The battle won, the Autobots quickly go back to hiding on the backstreets.

Heading home, Bumblebee's team has a meeting across the river with Prime's reinforcements. Bumblebee is prepared to accept a reprimand, but Prime is impressed with his team's performance and trusts that Bumblebee did what he felt was best. Bumblebee affirms that he did, having learned that "the show must go on!"

==Credits==
'''Script:''' [[Bob Budiansky]] <br>
'''Pencils:''' [[Don Perlin]]<br>
'''Inks:''' [[Al Gordon]]<br>
'''Colors:''' [[Nelson Yomtov]]<br>
'''Lettering:''' [[Janice Chiang]]<br>
'''Editor:''' [[Michael Carlin]]<br>
* ''Originally published:'' March, 1986

===Major characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (4)
* [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (5)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (6)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (7)
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (8)
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (9)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (10)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (13)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (14)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (15)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (16)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[G.B. Blackrock]] (11)
'''Guests'''
* [[Walter Barnett]] (12)
* [[Forrest Forsythe]] (17)
* [[Brick Springhorn]] (18)
|}

==Errors==
* If Ratchet is having so much trouble fixing the existing warriors, how come Wheeljack can build new bodies from scratch for the new Autobots so easily?
* The lead singer is alternatively called "Brick Springhorn" and "Brick Springstern."

==Items of note==
* ''References to other Transformers continuities/issues:'' Although Jetfire has been featured since US issue #10, this is the first time he is seen as an Autobot with sentience.
* The Autobots in the repair bay include [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Gears]], [[Huffer]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. In the US storyline, their injuries were sustained during the events of "[[Prime Time!]]". The UK storyline is less clear; some of those shown were injured during the "[[Dinobot Hunt!]]" storyline (Cliffjumper, Gears, Huffer, Jazz and Sideswipe), but others were not (Hound and Prowl). Most appear in subsequent UK stories, long after they'd disappeared from the US stories.
* So...does this mean the original Tracks, Skids, etc. could still be running around on Cybertron or somewhere?
* Although this issue introduces most of the second wave of Autobot cars, Inferno and Red Alert are conspicuously missing from it.
* This is the first appearance of energon cubes in the comics{{m-}}an example of convergence between the comic and cartoon.
* The special project Optimus commissions Grapple to work on is none other than [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], the Autobot defense platform. He is introduced (in front of a full audience, no less) in US [[Command Performances!|issue #19]].
* Songs by Mr. "Springstern" include "[[wikipedia:Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Night]]", "[[wikipedia:Born to Run (song)|Born to Ride]]", "[[wikipedia:Born in the U.S.A. (song)|Born in America]]", and "[[wikipedia:Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)|Margarita (Jump a Little Lighter)]]".

===Covers (3)===
{{picsneeded|UK cover}}
* '''U.S. cover:''' Hoist repairing Brick's scaffolding by [[Bob Budiansky]]
* '''UK issue 53 cover:''' The new Autobots receiving life by [[Robin Smith]]
* '''UK issue 54 cover:''' reuse of art from U.S. cover

===Advertisements===
* None yet identified

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Knockoff

2007-12-09T17:07:20Z

69.143.240.237:

This page needs a pic of that SEND THE BOOKS Energon Prime KO. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 16:53, 11 February 2007 (UTC)
:Done.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 07:43, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Anyone have anything they want also covered in here? I think it's fairly complete otherwise...--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 08:08, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

"It is probably safe to assume that knockoffs available in stores are quite legally produced and sold, and for those fans who collect them, this is fortunate: they provide a bizarre variety that is (with good reason) not to be found in official products." <-- Knockoffs are legal? Yeah, no. In other news, the number of African elephants triples!<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Knockoff

2007-12-09T17:06:56Z

69.143.240.237:

This page needs a pic of that SEND THE BOOKS Energon Prime KO. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 16:53, 11 February 2007 (UTC)
:Done.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 07:43, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Anyone have anything they want also covered in here? I think it's fairly complete otherwise...--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 08:08, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

"It is probably safe to assume that knockoffs available in stores are quite legally produced and sold, and for those fans who collect them, this is fortunate: they provide a bizarre variety that is (with good reason) not to be found in official products." <-- Knockoffs are legal? Yeah, no. In other news, the number of African elephants tripples!<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Knockoff

2007-12-09T16:56:35Z

69.143.240.237: /* Legal analysis of knockoffs */

[[Image:Bootleg.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. His knees are happy to see you.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the Transformers fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]],
[[Takaratomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs.

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam card art, and wacky translated packaging.

==Legal analysis of knockoffs==
Despite myths to the contrary, most Transformers knockoffs are illegal. In HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC., 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' Jumpstarter knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a liklihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys.<ref>http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid copyright in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimatley decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on Transformers toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in Transformers toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some Transformers toys have expired, the copyright protection on all Transforers toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are seperable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavilly remolded knockoff that only retains the transformation of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

==Knockoff companies==
Certain knockoff companies have earned reputations via their rather distinctive ways of altering the original product:

* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of [[Diaclone]]-descendant G1 molds and making massive [[retool|retools]] of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator]] bootleg that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way. The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] head.

* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys 'R' Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random Gundam and G1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (often times Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys' had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.

[[Image:JBootleg.jpg|thumb|right|Jumpstarters, kneel before your GOD.]]

* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either Transformers, the Brave series, and Power Rangers. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. It is not known how many, if any, patents Leader Shine actually holds.

* Happy Well - Currently the most well known knockoff company, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with Wal*Mart, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the "Galaxy Defender" series. Happy Well uses relatively high quality materials and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. Their "Roadbots" line is the only direct competitor to the [[Alternators]] line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* Kiddi Toys - Manufacturer of the many low quality gestalt gift sets made recently. Also, they beginning to make realistic counterfeit G1 knockoffs, starting with Metroplex.

* Playcenter - Manufacturer of most of the recent high quality counterfeit G1 knockoffs.

* Citi Toys - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonalds Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots, albeit mostly Brave and Gundam. They were shut down when news leaked out that they used child labor.

==Countries that produce or once produced knockoffs==

Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff Transformers, have in the last decade made efforts to legitimized themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

[[Image:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|right|SEND THE BOOKS!]]

* China -- The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kiddi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit G1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* South Korea -- Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be [[Phoenix King|animated series]] that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the Gundam property owner Sunrise's attempts to trademark the word were entirely rejected by the courts<ref>http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea</ref>.) Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html], and/or retooling their alt modes to resemble completely different vehicles.[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized G2 Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990's, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan -- Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980's and 1990's and can often be spotted on Italian Ebay. Gigi, the official Transformers licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff Shockwave. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

=="Replica" knockoffs==
Starting around 2005, high quality [[Generation 1]] knockoffs began to appear on various internet auction sites. Originating from China, these particular imitations run for remarkably high prices, often $20-30 for a two-pack of cassettes. At first, the knockoffs seemed to be perfect clones right down to the packaging, but later branched into various new colors and opacities. The clones remain extremely controversial as they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals, even in terms of toy quality, especially in the cases where rare [[exclusive|convention exclusives]] such as the black [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]] or highly valued figures such as [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] have been reproduced. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same.

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]

*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]

*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]

*[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=5138952 Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]

*[http://www.geocities.com/kidk0rrupt/frames/bootlegs.htm Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]

*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/bootlegs/ TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]

*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]

*[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Knockoff

2007-12-09T16:54:38Z

69.143.240.237: small additional changes -- Might Gaine

[[Image:Bootleg.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. His knees are happy to see you.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the Transformers fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]],
[[Takaratomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs.

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam card art, and wacky translated packaging.

==Legal analysis of knockoffs==
Despite myths to the contrary, most Transformers knockoffs are illegal. In HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC., 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' Jumpstarter knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a liklihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys, which was prima facie valid.<ref>http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid copyright in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimatley decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on Transformers toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in Transformers toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some Transformers toys have expired, the copyright protection on all Transforers toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are seperable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavilly remolded knockoff that only retains the transformation of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

==Knockoff companies==
Certain knockoff companies have earned reputations via their rather distinctive ways of altering the original product:

* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of [[Diaclone]]-descendant G1 molds and making massive [[retool|retools]] of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator]] bootleg that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way. The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] head.

* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys 'R' Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random Gundam and G1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (often times Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys' had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.

[[Image:JBootleg.jpg|thumb|right|Jumpstarters, kneel before your GOD.]]

* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either Transformers, the Brave series, and Power Rangers. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. It is not known how many, if any, patents Leader Shine actually holds.

* Happy Well - Currently the most well known knockoff company, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with Wal*Mart, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the "Galaxy Defender" series. Happy Well uses relatively high quality materials and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. Their "Roadbots" line is the only direct competitor to the [[Alternators]] line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* Kiddi Toys - Manufacturer of the many low quality gestalt gift sets made recently. Also, they beginning to make realistic counterfeit G1 knockoffs, starting with Metroplex.

* Playcenter - Manufacturer of most of the recent high quality counterfeit G1 knockoffs.

* Citi Toys - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonalds Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots, albeit mostly Brave and Gundam. They were shut down when news leaked out that they used child labor.

==Countries that produce or once produced knockoffs==

Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff Transformers, have in the last decade made efforts to legitimized themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

[[Image:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|right|SEND THE BOOKS!]]

* China -- The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kiddi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit G1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* South Korea -- Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be [[Phoenix King|animated series]] that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the Gundam property owner Sunrise's attempts to trademark the word were entirely rejected by the courts<ref>http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea</ref>.) Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html], and/or retooling their alt modes to resemble completely different vehicles.[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized G2 Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990's, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan -- Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980's and 1990's and can often be spotted on Italian Ebay. Gigi, the official Transformers licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff Shockwave. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

=="Replica" knockoffs==
Starting around 2005, high quality [[Generation 1]] knockoffs began to appear on various internet auction sites. Originating from China, these particular imitations run for remarkably high prices, often $20-30 for a two-pack of cassettes. At first, the knockoffs seemed to be perfect clones right down to the packaging, but later branched into various new colors and opacities. The clones remain extremely controversial as they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals, even in terms of toy quality, especially in the cases where rare [[exclusive|convention exclusives]] such as the black [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]] or highly valued figures such as [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] have been reproduced. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same.

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]

*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]

*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]

*[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=5138952 Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]

*[http://www.geocities.com/kidk0rrupt/frames/bootlegs.htm Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]

*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/bootlegs/ TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]

*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]

*[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Knockoff

2007-12-09T16:48:14Z

69.143.240.237: The common usage of "bootleg" extends beyond sound recordings; Style editing; Better analysis of legality of knockoffs; Better analysis of foreign copyright protection; Countries --Might Gaine

[[Image:Bootleg.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. His knees are happy to see you.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the Transformers fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]],
[[Takaratomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs.

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam card art, and wacky translated packaging.

[[Image:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|left|SEND THE BOOKS!]]

Despite myths to the contrary, most Transformers knockoffs are illegal. In [i]HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC., 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985)[/i], the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' Jumpstarter knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a liklihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys, which was prima facie valid.<ref>http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid copyright in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimatley decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on Transformers toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in Transformers toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some Transformers toys have expired, the copyright protection on all Transforers toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are seperable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavilly remolded knockoff that only retains the transformation of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff Transformers, have in the last decade made efforts to legitimized themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

==Knockoff companies==
Certain knockoff companies have earned reputations via their rather distinctive ways of altering the original product:

* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of [[Diaclone]]-descendant G1 molds and making massive [[retool|retools]] of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator]] bootleg that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way. The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] head.

* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys 'R' Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random Gundam and G1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (often times Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys' had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.

[[Image:JBootleg.jpg|thumb|right|Jumpstarters, kneel before your GOD.]]

* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either Transformers, the Brave series, and Power Rangers. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. It is not known how many, if any, patents Leader Shine actually holds.

* Happy Well - Currently the most well known knockoff company, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with Wal*Mart, CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the "Galaxy Defender" series. Happy Well uses relatively high quality materials and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. Their "Roadbots" line is the only direct competitor to the [[Alternators]] line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* Kiddi Toys - Manufacturer of the many low quality gestalt gift sets made recently. Also, they beginning to make realistic counterfeit G1 knockoffs, starting with Metroplex.

* Playcenter - Manufacturer of most of the recent high quality counterfeit G1 knockoffs.

* Citi Toys - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonalds Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots, albeit mostly Brave and Gundam. They were shut down when news leaked out that they used child labor.

==Countries that produce or once produced knockoffs==

Certain countries are known for the knockoffs they have produced

* China -- The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kiddi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the notorious high quality counterfeit G1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* South Korea -- Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be [[Phoenix King|animated series]] that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the Gundam property owner Sunrise's attempts to trademark the word were entirely rejected by the courts<ref>http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea</ref>.) Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html], and/or retooling their alt modes to resemble completely different vehicles.[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized G2 Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990's, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan -- Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980's and 1990's and can often be spotted on Italian Ebay. Gigi, the official Transformers licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff Shockwave. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

=="Replica" knockoffs==
Starting around 2005, high quality [[Generation 1]] knockoffs began to appear on various internet auction sites. Originating from China, these particular imitations run for remarkably high prices, often $20-30 for a two-pack of cassettes. At first, the knockoffs seemed to be perfect clones right down to the packaging, but later branched into various new colors and opacities. The clones remain extremely controversial as they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals, even in terms of toy quality, especially in the cases where rare [[exclusive|convention exclusives]] such as the black [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]] or highly valued figures such as [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] have been reproduced. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same.

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]

*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]

*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]

*[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=5138952 Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]

*[http://www.geocities.com/kidk0rrupt/frames/bootlegs.htm Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]

*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/bootlegs/ TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]

*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]

*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]

*[http://www.geocities.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>