Your views on recasts and other copied dolls

There's a huge difference between manufacturers competing in the same market with similar products (i.e. Azone, Volks, Faerieland, Soom, Smart Doll etc.) and recasting/copying. In the former case, the products may have similar features, design, and functionality, but can be considered completely separate products. R&D, design, and engineering were done at the company's expense to make the product. Think of Coke vs. Pepsi, similar product, look, and target audience, but both are distinctly different.

 

In the case of recasts, a company is taking an existing product, photocopying it, and reselling it. Sometimes they will be blunt about the fact that it is recast, other times they will be sneaky about it. Either way, a company that sells recast is directly profiting off of another company's work without permission and license. Think of SonMay Records or Ever Anime for anime and game soundtracks. Neither obtained licenses from the original artists but are copying, selling, and profiting off of that work.

 

In the US, this would be considered a violation of copyright law. Since all of these companies are overseas, the infraction is the same, though enforcement is more difficult or even impossible.

There is a huge difference, but Volks' stance has always been fairly strict. Unfortunately, I don't have a link to their official press release about how they feel that all modern BJD's are knock-offs of their stuff-- maybe I'm wrong, or maybe their opinion has changed since then. If I recall correctly, that bit of news is from either the mid or late 2000's.

 

I don't agree or disagree with their view-- they're allowed to think what they want as a company. It was just something interesting that I thought was worth pointing out.

In regards to recasts: In my opinion, I want the real deal, not a copy. It does suck that limited dolls are so hard to get and I definitely understand the frustration.

 

I see other companies as competition rather than knock offs and I like that there is competition and choices out there.

 

My biggest complaint about recasts is when people try to sell them as the real deal...not cool.

I think the 'Germany' Volks confusion might stem from the fact that Volkswagen is German. I know when I search for Volks goods i sometimes get Volkswagen listings and then I go change my search settings.

 

I don't call SQ Labs, Smartdolls or Luts 'anime style' dolls bootlegs/recasts. SQ Labs brings a whole new spectrum of expressions and I like that they're resin. While I enjoy the lightness of vinyl, I do enjoy the fact that resin stains less. Maybe Danny did scan his DD, and while I see some similarities, I'm not 100% sure and I wouldn't assume the worst either. He's also bringing the element of robotics to it, which is something that Volks hasn't dared tackle. Like someone else said, it's good to have some competition on the table. It sometimes leads to incredible innovations, including a male anime guy in the making. That's cause for celebration!

 

IMO recasts don't lead to innovation. It seems to result in deceit, scams and waste of time by companies who are trying to protect their intellectual property. Rather than to buy recasts, I'd rather just enjoy what I already have.