Hasbro going over board?

[Stalliongrad 982]

I have those streamer mane plushies. I gave one to my niece and she noticeably didn't like it. Hasbro's toys have been getting better but they are still quite expensive for what they are really. Those plushies aren't even made by Hasbro. They are made by a company called "Funrise Toys" in California. They are then made in Vietnam. The only thing I like about them is that they are only $8. The fan made ones are so much better but you are definitely going to pay for it. It doesn't matter what they say they know it is in their best interests to keep the Brony community happy. This huge unexpected fan base has made them richer and they know it. They can be upset that the fans are making their own plush toys but the fact of the matter is that the fans can do a better job than some factory in Vietnam. And other fans are willing to pay more for it. If they were smart they would begin to make more show accurate stuff. It took almost two Seasons for them to make Celestia white instead of Pink...like really?

[Princess_Molestia 1,460]

god no one reads what I say, about stock and stuff... they don't just make these things on demand like a chip wagon makes hot dogs

they never tried to stop any plushie makers except that infamous Lyra plushie

new show accurate plushies and what not are coming on the market, it seems they are listening to people and catering to the bronies, it takes time to make things, get materials, think of everything that goes into making something en masse.

I've worked in a factory before, and it just made fliers

But why am I bothering to explain all that will happen is more of the same "omg Hasbro hates us, they make things for kids ehhhh"

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

thats a 3.5 style plush... what I imagine they do is make all this stuff BEFORE the show comes out.

They had no way of knowing bronies were gonna be a thing, or even last. I mean How many people actually thought it would get like it is, they couldn't just make newer toys and charge 3 times what the old ones were, what if bronies petered out and they couldn't sell these toys to kids, that'd be suicide!

What they seem to be doing is letting other companies make show accurate stuff, at a higher price, and keep to their normal stuff for kids, cheap and lower quality as the kids aren't gonna keep it like an adult will.

People don't know how companies work, how they make things and how they plan things.

I have no idea when that Twilight came out, but you could easily be right in that stuff like that was made before the show became a hit.

 

I am not knocking Hasbro, I'm just saying that, as a business they will take the cheap route if it means they still make a profit. In their defense, they have been getting a lot better at giving older fans the type of merchandise we want to see. Better toys with molded manes, more background characters, and those amazing 4th Dimension plush toys being examples.

 

I for one understand that I'm not the target demographic, and so most of the merchandise is pretty mediocre stuff that only little kids will like. But, as a fan of the series and an interested consumer, I would like to spend some money on quality MLP plush toys and other merchandise, but only if I feel it's worth the money. I have yet to find a whole lot of MLP products that I would have any interest in, but I'm sure it's on the way.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

For what it's worth, I'd like to add that even the small things Hasbro DID do about the plushies, didn't happen until someone made that damn Lyra "toy", so take that how ever you will. 

[PonyRocker95 106]

I have those streamer mane plushies. I gave one to my niece and she noticeably didn't like it. Hasbro's toys have been getting better but they are still quite expensive for what they are really. Those plushies aren't even made by Hasbro. They are made by a company called "Funrise Toys" in California. They are then made in Vietnam. The only thing I like about them is that they are only $8. The fan made ones are so much better but you are definitely going to pay for it. It doesn't matter what they say they know it is in their best interests to keep the Brony community happy. This huge unexpected fan base has made them richer and they know it. They can be upset that the fans are making their own plush toys but the fact of the matter is that the fans can do a better job than some factory in Vietnam. And other fans are willing to pay more for it. If they were smart they would begin to make more show accurate stuff. It took almost two Seasons for them to make Celestia white instead of Pink...like really?

 

I got one of the streamer mane plushies (Rainbow Dash to be exact) from my one of my best friends and fellow bronies Jessica for my birthday and when she was looking for something to give me she asked me if I wanted a RD plush or A Pinkie one and (not knowing what it looked  like and stupidly thinking she meant one from eBay, I said a rainbow dash plushie and was horribly disappointed when I opened my gift and ironically we both made fun of the plush afterwards.

Edited March 4, 2013 by PonyRocker88

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I was reading the article for the new "Equestria Girls" concept when I read this:

 

"...But adult fans have also pushed to take more control of the brand, creating unauthorized digital games and plush toys that company executives eventually squashed.

 

“They don’t mind having this fan base, but they can’t forget their core market,” said Jim Silver, editor in chief of timetoplaymag.com, which covers the toy industry. “These are waters you have to navigate very carefully.” "

 

and the first thing that popped into my head was "Well maybe if you guys made better quality stuff and weren't such bucking blind money grubbing jerks maybe bronys (or more importantly me/I) would buy your stuff!" I know their trying not to lose money but still!

So you're saying that since you're an older/adult fan, they should hand you merchandise for free? Hasbro is a corporation. Corporations can not exist if they don't show a profit. Frankly, it's childish, and more than a little simple minded to keep raging at how evil they are, just because they are protecting their legal rights. I know I talked it to death in other threads, but just because you like a character, that DOES NOT give you the right to infringe on Hasbro's legally held copyrights and start producing things to sell on EBay. It isn't a case of Hasbro "Being Evil". Whether you want to admit it or not, Mane6 and the people making plush toys are BREAKING FEDERAL LAW! If they don't follow the terms of the cease and desist orders, they could eventually be sued for vast amounts of money, and even see some time in prison.

 

Don't forget, the show is still aimed squarely at the young girl market. the Brony fandom was a total surprise for Hasbro. The Brony fandom is also just a tiny fraction of the actual viewing audience Quite honestly, I'd wager that Hasbro wishes the Brony movement never sprung up.  From the start it has given them nothing but headaches. I remember reading that back in the middle of season one, Hasbro considered pulling the plug and not even producing a season two. The reason? The explosion of rule34 art and "clop" fiction all over the internet totally repulsed them! They didn't want to risk the INTENDED fans stumbling onto that while looking for things about their favorite show.

Edited March 4, 2013 by cuteycindyhoney

[PonyRocker95 106]

So you're saying that since you're an older/adult fan, they should hand you merchandise for free? Hasbro is a corporation. Corporations can not exist if they don't show a profit. Frankly, it's childish, and more than a little simple minded to keep raging at how evil they are, just because they are protecting their legal rights. I know I talked it to death in other threads, but just because you like a character, that DOES NOT give you the right to infringe on Hasbro's legally held copyrights and start producing things to sell on EBay. It isn't a case of Hasbro "Being Evil". Whether you want to admit it or not, Mane6 and the people making plush toys are BREAKING FEDERAL LAW! If they don't follow the terms of the cease and desist orders, they could eventually be sued for vast amounts of money, and even see some time in prison.

 

Don't forget, the show is still aimed squarely at the young girl market. the Brony fandom was a total surprise for Hasbro. The Brony fandom is also just a tiny fraction of the actual viewing audience Quite honestly, I'd wager that Hasbro wishes the Brony movement never sprung up.  From the start it has given them nothing but headaches. I remember reading that back in the middle of season one, Hasbro considered pulling the plug and not even producing a season two. The reason? The explosion of rule34 art and "clop" fiction all over the internet totally repulsed them! They didn't want to risk the INTENDED fans stumbling onto that while looking for things about their favorite show.

 

Ok 1) I'm not saying they should "hand it to me for free" and isn't it ok as long as they give credit and say they DO NOT OWN IT?

 

2) whats rule34?

 

and 3) What are you a Brony or a Hater!? 

[Sir.Flutter Hooves 2,953]

I have to agree with you. 

 

I would rather spend my money on the second picture, but to bad there most likely $500 dollars a pop. I really want a pony plush, so I guess I have two options. 

 

1. Spend $500-$1000 dollars on a stuffed pony instead of a  used car.

 

2. Or be thankful that there are affordable plushies out there, and pray to Celestia that in the near future they make better quality ones.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Ok 1) I'm not saying they should "hand it to me for free" and isn't it ok as long as they give credit and say they DO NOT OWN IT?

 

2) whats rule34?

 

and 3) What are you a Brony or a Hater!? 

That's the point I'm making. Hasbro DOES OWN every single aspect of MLP:FIM. They are the soul legal owners of record for every, episode, character, song, name, and location presented within the confines of the show. No other person or company has any legal right to use them, unless Hasbro grants them legal license to do so. That person or company would then have to pay Hasbro royalties for the use of the characters. You can't just say "Hasbro created it, now send me money!"

 

Hasbro paid Lauren Faust to create the show for them. Even she has no legal claim on any of the characters or situations she created while in their employ. The reason they stopped Mane6's game, is because 1, they don't want their characters associated with a tournament style fighting game, and 2, even though free, Fighting is Magic would undermine licensed games currently being produced. 

 

Hasbro is being remarkably tolerant of fanfics, fan art, fan music, and fan videos. The game and the selling of toys online pushed things too far though. Hasbro had to act to protect their own interests.

 

As for rule 34. That's when people draw extremely adult pictures of their favorite characters, doing things that you wouldn't want your mother to see on your computer.

 

Finally, I am a Brony. It isn't me being a hater, just because I understand some of the laws involved.

[Lady Leopardess 393]

Ok 1) I'm not saying they should "hand it to me for free" and isn't it ok as long as they give credit and say they DO NOT OWN IT?

 

2) whats rule34?

 

and 3) What are you a Brony or a Hater!? 

No actually it's not okay because the people who sell fan items are earning money on characters someone else made up and has copyrighted.  However usually things like this are over looked by companies and such because it's small scale. However if it becomes larger scale , then it becomes more competition for the company who made it ,which isn't fair to the company that holds the copyrights.

[PonyRocker95 106]

No actually it's not okay because the people who sell fan items are earning money on characters someone else made up and has copyrighted.  However usually things like this are over looked by companies and such because it's small scale. However if it becomes larger scale , then it becomes more competition for the company who made it ,which isn't fair to the company that holds the copyrights.

 

 

That's the point I'm making. Hasbro DOES OWN every single aspect of MLP:FIM. They are the soul legal owners of record for every, episode, character, song, name, and location presented within the confines of the show. No other person or company has any legal right to use them, unless Hasbro grants them legal license to do so. That person or company would then have to pay Hasbro royalties for the use of the characters. You can't just say "Hasbro created it, now send me money!"

 

Hasbro paid Lauren Faust to create the show for them. Even she has no legal claim on any of the characters or situations she created while in their employ. The reason they stopped Mane6's game, is because 1, they don't want their characters associated with a tournament style fighting game, and 2, even though free, Fighting is Magic would undermine licensed games currently being produced. 

 

Hasbro is being remarkably tolerant of fanfics, fan art, fan music, and fan videos. The game and the selling of toys online pushed things too far though. Hasbro had to act to protect their own interests.

 

As for rule 34. That's when people draw extremely adult pictures of their favorite characters, doing things that you wouldn't want your mother to see on your computer.

 

Finally, I am a Brony. It isn't me being a hater, just because I understand some of the laws involved.

 

But what about YouTube video's and stuff like that? how does that have anything to do with copyrights? they take stuff off of you tube even though it's not making money and people put disclaimers.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

But what about YouTube video's and stuff like that? how does that have anything to do with copyrights? they take stuff off of you tube even though it's not making money and people put disclaimers.

A lot of the Youtube take-downs are due to Youtube using an automated bot that searches out copyrighted material. Case in point "Friendship is Witchcraft". If it was Hasbro that ordered their videos taken down, Sherclop would not have been able to move everything over to their new site.

http://www.sherclop.com/

Hasbro would have sent them a cease and desist order. They know about it. The link is right there on their Youtube channel. Also, their much anticipated episode eight is up on Youtube.

 

As for people posting complete episodes on Youtube, those are a clear legal infraction. iTunes is selling the episodes as licensed by Hasbro. The DVDs are also available for purchase. Why would people buy them if someone else is providing them for free?

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

This is a perfect example of why the copyright system is broken, and how it prevents the development of quality goods and services. Fan made plushes are LIGHTYEARS ahead of Hasbro in quality, and while competition should ideally push Hasbro to increase it's quality, Hasbro doesn't have to, and can simply use copyright to squash fan-made goods and services. (Quality is albeit slowly increasing, but it is only at a fraction of the rate it could be if the copyright laws were different and Hasbro actually had to compete).

 

I'm not saying that as it stands what fans are doing isn't technically "illegal," but at the same time it's a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont situation because the laws are broken. Copyright laws shouldn't be a be-all-end-all to the holder - they should protect some of the rights of the holder, yes, but they shouldn't let the holder bootstomp fans.

 

I, for one, plan on purchasing a fan made plushie soon. Does that make me some criminal hooligan? Because if it does, then that is a badge I will wear proudly. *Trots off to pony plush black market*

Edited March 4, 2013 by AtomicBassCannon

[WildCard 1,037]

Well Hasbro has given other companies such as "Nikki"(in Germany) to make better plushes and they actually look really good. And with the plastic/vinyl toys they make for the show I don't think we should complain.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Wildcard

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

This is a perfect example of why the copyright system is broken, and how it prevents the development of quality goods and services. Fan made plushes are LIGHTYEARS ahead of Hasbro in quality, and while competition should ideally push Hasbro to increase it's quality, Hasbro doesn't have to, and can simply use copyright to squash fan-made goods and services. (Quality is albeit slowly increasing, but it is only at a fraction of the rate it could be if the copyright laws were different and Hasbro actually had to compete).

 

I'm not saying that as it stands what fans are doing isn't technically "illegal," but at the same time it's a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont situation because the laws are broken. Copyright laws shouldn't be a be-all-end-all to the holder - they should protect some of the rights of the holder, yes, but they shouldn't let the holder bootstomp fans.

 

I, for one, plan on purchasing a fan made plushie soon. Does that make me some criminal hooligan? Because if it does, then that is a badge I will wear proudly. *Trots off to pony plush black market*

You still don't get it. NOBODY has the right to develop any goods or services on another company's copyrighted trademarked characters. It doesn't matter if it's the best made plush toy in the history of mankind, if Hasbro didn't authorize and license it, no other company or individual has the right to produce it for profit. When fans produce things and sell them online, it isn't "technically" illegal. It is in fact "ILLEGAL" and breaking federal law! Copyright laws ARE the be all end all. Think about what you just wrote. You think that the laws should only protect SOME of the rights??? The laws are REQUIRED to protect ALL OF THE RIGHTS of the copyright holder! If they don't, there may as well be no laws at all.

 

To be totally honest, this absurdly naive "Boo-Hoo, Hasbro is evil because they won't let everyone make a profit on their copyrights! How DARE they protect their legal rights and not let just anyone sell anything they want!" nonsense is wearing mighty thin. Let's try a different tact. Let's say someone starts selling their own shoe line emblazoned with the name Prada. Guess what? That's against the same copyright laws! That person's stock would be seized by the feds, and they'd get to spend an exciting few years in jail!

 

I don't know how it is for other countries, but in no state of the United States, is it illegal to actually buy bootleg or counterfeit products. Keep this in mind though. If you send your money, and the feds end up shutting them down before shipping, you get nothing, and no refund will be provided. 

Edited March 5, 2013 by cuteycindyhoney

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

S

Don't forget, the show is still aimed squarely at the young girl market. the Brony fandom was a total surprise for Hasbro. The Brony fandom is also just a tiny fraction of the actual viewing audience Quite honestly, I'd wager that Hasbro wishes the Brony movement never sprung up.

 

I'd like to contest that, they wouldn't be putting licensing out brony targeted products if that was the case, they'd be ignoring us, writing us off as a fringe market, and hoping we die off without their support. They also wouldn't be letting the staff attend conventions. They've also said positive things about us now that that have a handle on what's going on. 

 

I agree with a lot of your other points though, Hasbro is being really understanding of us and giving us alot of freedom with their IP, and people need to quit biting the hand that feeds

Edited March 5, 2013 by Shoboni

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

You still don't get it. NOBODY has the right to develop any goods or services on another company's copyrighted trademarked characters. It doesn't matter if it's the best made plush toy in the history of mankind, if Hasbro didn't authorize and license it, no other company or individual has the right to produce it for profit. When fans produce things and sell them online, it isn't "technically" illegal. It is in fact "ILLEGAL" and breaking federal law! Copyright laws ARE the be all end all. Think about what you just wrote. You think that the laws should only protect SOME of the rights??? The laws are REQUIRED to protect ALL OF THE RIGHTS of the copyright holder! If they don't, there may as well be no laws at all.

 

To be totally honest, this absurdly naive "Boo-Hoo, Hasbro is evil because they won't let everyone make a profit on their copyrights! How DARE they protect their legal rights and not let just anyone sell anything they want!" nonsense is wearing mighty thin. Let's try a different tact. Let's say someone starts selling their own shoe line emblazoned with the name Prada. Guess what? That's against the same copyright laws! That person's stock would be seized by the feds, and they'd get to spend an exciting few years in jail!

 

I don't know how it is for other countries, but in no state of the United States, is it illegal to actually buy bootleg or counterfeit products. Keep this in mind though. If you send your money, and the feds end up shutting them down before shipping, you get nothing, and no refund will be provided. 

I'm not debating the laws as they are, I'm debating how they should be. Current copyright laws are a perfect example of how modern technology is outpacing obsolete laws. Do you think current copyright laws are going to be able to keep up in a modern age of 3D printers, advanced sewing machines, easier coding (I'm looking at you, Mane 6), and an ever growing network that allows for easier distribution of all these goods? Something's gonna give.

 

So either the laws get reformed, or a black market will grow, because as it stands strict, effective enforcement of the laws isn't a solution (and if anything will only result in the squelching of new ideas, rather than their development) and I'm not just talking about MLP fan works anymore.

 

Current copyright laws are a 20th century solution to a 21st century problem.

[Chickey 383]

*Talks about their core market*

*Makes show for teenagers*

Wat.

 

They also fail to realize that teen girls in highschool would never buy toys like this or watch the show in my opinion. Their interests are in other things.

 

I don't think that stopping the plushy making was really necessary, the game making was understandable though. And I have to agree that the plush toys they're making now are absolutely terrible.