Unlicenced Statues :Where do you stand?

[Tetragrammaton]

I think every collector is fascinated with unique and rare pieces in their collection. Some of my favorite pieces within my personal collection are the few masterfully painted kits and customs.

Now, while few people could argue that recasts add anything positive to the hobby, but what about the various non-licensed statues and garage kits that exist, some of which are just as good in terms of quality and artistry as the pre-painted production statues?

Is buying non-licensed work wrong?

[nbr3bagshotrow]

Originally Posted by Tetragrammaton

I think every collector is fascinated with unique and rare pieces in their collection. Some of my favorite pieces within my personal collection are the few masterfully painted kits and customs.

Now, while few people could argue that recasts add anything positive to the hobby, but what about the various non-licensed statues and garage kits that exist, some of which are just as good in terms of quality and artistry as the pre-painted production statues?

Is buying non-licensed work wrong?

Not IMO.

[Andrew]

I personally don't have a problem with unlicensed statues and kits, but it bothers me when the people who make them copy the art direction of a person who has actually paid for a license of the same property.

[Kicksplode]

If artists can charge money for sketches of characters they don't own, sculptors should be able to sell statues too. As long as they're selling their own work and not copying or recasting, I don't see a problem with it.

[risingstar]

If it's something I want, then it's absolutely okay. If it isn't something I would not buy, then it's a total crime and the artist should be charged.

[Saturday_Knight_Surfer]

Originally Posted by Tetragrammaton

...what about the various non-licensed statues and garage kits that exist, some of which are just as good in terms of quality and artistry as the pre-painted production statues?

I would say "some of which are better in terms of quality and artistry than the pre-painted production statues"

I even think that non-licensed statues and garage kits exist because of the lack of quality of mass producted statues, and the lack of ambition in art direction.

[I and I]

actually, it is technically wrong since it's based on copyrighted work... that it's a bit of a grey area (own art based on character description of someone else) it's still illegal.
but then, even taking pictures of a statue that was made with the appropriated licenses is an infringement of copyright...

personally, I wouldn't buy non-licensed stuff although I have to admit that they sometimes charge way too much for use of a characters image >_<

[derekrodneysim]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I personally don't have a problem with unlicensed statues and kits, but it bothers me when the people who make them copy the art direction of a person who has actually paid for a license of the same property.

Originally Posted by Kicksplode

If artists can charge money for sketches of characters they don't own, sculptors should be able to sell statues too. As long as they're selling their own work and not copying or recasting, I don't see a problem with it.

Originally Posted by risingstar

If it's something I want, then it's absolutely okay. If it isn't something I would not buy, then it's a total crime and the artist should be charged.

While it may be flirting with certain copyright issues, I don't see much of an offense. Heck, sometimes these independent sculptors even manage to outdo the artistry and quality of the big boys. I'm always rooting for the underdog anyway.

If any company should find fault with these people, they should address the recasters first.

[Artsta]

Originally Posted by Kicksplode

If artists can charge money for sketches of characters they don't own, sculptors should be able to sell statues too. As long as they're selling their own work and not copying or recasting, I don't see a problem with it.

I agree

[biglebowski9999]

Originally Posted by Kicksplode

If artists can charge money for sketches of characters they don't own, sculptors should be able to sell statues too. As long as they're selling their own work and not copying or recasting, I don't see a problem with it.

Was exactly what I was going to say. Anybody that has an issue with this...let's see your comic art collection.