Forum - View topicMacross, Tatsunoko, Marmony Gold, Big West and AnimEigo
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Tempest
 I Run this place.ANN Publisher  Posts: 10468 Location: Do not message me for support. |
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I'm surprised the topic hasn't already come up here, there's been ton's of discussion about it on some of the internet mailling lists I subscribe to.
A lot of questions about how this will affect AnimEigo's distribution of the Macross DVDs. Here's my conjecture on that point (and as conjecture it has no place in the article I posted). It seems to me that the issue is one of Trademark, not licencing. HG has always maintained that they onw the rights to the Macross Trademark as well as the licence to the Super Dimensional Macross series. I believe that the Japanese ruling states that they do not own the trademark but does not touch their ownership of the licence. By owning the trademark, they would have had control (and have exercised this control numerous times in the past) on anything bearing the Macross name or likeness, not just the original Macross series. This control has effectively kept all macross merchandice and all later series & movies (with the notable exception of Macross Plus) out of the United States. If they do not have the control over the Macross TM it is good news as it would mean that we may start seing more of the Macross series and related Merchandise. However, if I am wrong and the ruling also deals with the Macross Licence for the first SD Macross tv series, the one that was licenced to AnimEigo, this could be bad news for AnimEigo. If Harmony Gold never had the right to sell that licence to AE then AE effectively doesn't have the right to distribute the DVDs. While AE has distributed the boxed sets, the single releases were still planned for later. Fortunately, AE is said to be in fairly good graces with Big West and Studio Nue so if this whole issue does touch upon the Macross license there is still hope that AE will be able to work something out with the proper rights holders. AnimEigo isn't the only company that might also be affected by this. As Harmony Gold does not own the SDM TM, they also do no have licencing rights to SDM merchandice. Here's where it gets complicated, most Robotech merchandise can also be considered SDM merchandise, so while the Robotech series itself is in no danger, people have been suggesting that Toynami's Robotech models can not be distributed without Big West's permission. Interesting, hmm? Last edited by Tempest on Thu Feb 28, 2002 11:45 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ataru
 Posts: 2330 Location: Missouri (Strikeman) |
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Hmmm, hopely it doesn't stop AE from making Macross DVDs (Mostly because I have gotten the box set.), but the other company that might get effected is ADV becasue of Robotech DVDs, mostly because that is one of the earliest anime series I have seen (or remember). |
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Tempest
I Run this place. ANN Publisher Posts: 10468 Location: Do not message me for support. |
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No, ADV won't be affected, HG's right to Robotech and to re-sell Robotech isn't being questioned here. |
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GATSU
Posts: 15627 |
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www.animenewsservice.com just mentioned that Manga's Macross 2 and Plus are safe, and that Woodhead feels confident the Macross R1 dvd's are safe. So maybe it's gonna be ok after all.
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nagash
Posts: 280 |
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I am happy to hear that more Macross stuff might be coming over but I have to ask if it's really that hard to get it now?
I go to a local convention and I know of 3 people there that routinely have Macross merchandise available. I've picked up 2 Veritechs, Minmei, and Misa as action figures. I also have a Minmei model kit. At the last convention, I picked up a Macross book (explains the story and the characters, but it's in Japanese) and I also noticed that the guy had a rather old Valkyrie toy (VF-1S, I believe). Some of the other people also had Macross (not Robotech) related merchandise. I even know where I could get a copy of DYRL. Maybe it's just where I live or that I know of this conventions existence but finding Macross merchandise has never been a problem for me. If anything, finding the old Robotech merchandise has been next to impossible. |
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mike3560
Posts: 23 |
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You know Tempest, I'm going to guess 1) It's simply because most of us don't know enough about copyright and trademark laws to be able to talk intelligently about the issue. Domestic licensing is bad enough. International licensing sounds even worse. If someone here does have a background in that area please enlighten us. And 2) Until we get more facts, we may be whipping ourselves up into an unescessary frenzy. I will say though that I am glad I already have my Macross box set, and am wondering if now there's going to be a run on Macross merchandising still on the shelves that has a U.S. companies' logo on it. |
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Ataru
Posts: 2330 Location: Missouri (Strikeman) |
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Thank goodness AE's Macross DVD are safe (In ref. to the update). Now, if they only they hurry up with UY, and AE well make good couple of bucks off of me. *L*
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LordByronius
ANN Columnist
 Posts: 861 Location: Philippe for America! He is five. |
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I'm just curious - does the Big West/Harmony Gold dispute extend over the OTHER shows that made up Robotech, like Mospeada?
...probably not, but then again, I'm a dumbass. So, anyone want to clear up my suspicions? |
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ShockWave
 Posts: 22 Location: Atlanta |
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Ah, it's all administrative law in Japan anyway, so all things are subject to change at any moment without prior notification depending on significant social events or the weather, whichever comes first or last. :twisted:
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