Knockoff

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 used by fans as a synonym, though in common use it refers more to recordings than to consumer goods.

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.

Original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. Unfortunately, though they can be quite good at times, the quality of knockoffs is often poor. Bright colors, odd resizings, and quirky modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam card art, and wacky translated packaging.

The legality of knockoffs is often questioned. Few Transformer mechanical designs are thoroughly and completely original enough to warrant a patent; assemblies of well-proven technology, however skilled or well-executed, are not usually patentable. Decorative design patents can be issued; a toy protected by one of these may not be duplicated in appearance until the patent expires (after which all is fair game). Mechanically-identical copies with altered decorations may be quite legal. Names and symbols may also be protected by trademark, preventing their use on similar-looking knockoffs, but again, with enough changes this barrier may be surmounted.

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.