28 replies to this topic

[IronHeadRat]

Hello all, nice to join you as I've loved tiny rubber figures all my life. I rediscovered my MIMP collection recently when moving, and decided to complete it, but I didn't count on some of the holes being so hard to fill. I've seen fan castings of MIMP figures before, hasn't any owner of S3 figures ever made a mold of his figures and sold copies? I don't care if it's not legitimate or made of the same bendy rubber, as long as it occupies the same amount of physical space in my collection.

[Daxel101uk]

Good call, not sure if anyone here has thought of that, I wouldn't mind jus some customs of S3. Probably cost a fraction of the price of what S3 are fetching....

[Aikola]

To be honest the cost to make a figure is quite high, silicone mold and the rubber used could make it cost at least 30-40 quid, for an extra 20 id rather have the real deal.

[TheWatcher]

That and if MEG catches you, it could be a whole lot more.

[Daxel101uk]

True that... I'll pass then can't really afford to get sued

[jkaris]

Yeah, MEG seems to be pretty protective of the old line, whereas the other guys don't seem to care.

[PlasticSoul]

It's a trap.

Look at the guys username.

ironheadRAT

And just 1 post?

Trying to catch someone "ridin dirty".

















None of that was true.

[IronHeadRat]

Yeah, I'm actually a real guy. I don't really see where the rightsholder would have a problem with it if they're not shutting down the other guys who have made castings, I saw a clear Kali on eBay the other day. It's also a line from decades ago and unless you were eating cereal in one of a tiny selection of countries, you could never have gotten them in the first place. It wouldn't be taking any money out of MEG's pocket. Of course a caster would have to make sure they state these are not the genuine article.

The idea came to me the other day when I was reading a new issue of a model-making magazine I get, and there was an ad for a company that sells silicone mold rubbers, casting resin, pigments, the whole bit. I checked out their catalog, for around $70USD plus shipping you could get started with 2 pints of resin, a pound of silicone, two pigments and a container of mold release. A guy with a few of the figures on hand could make his money back on his first batch.

http://www.glenmarc....ATALOG-2011.pdf

Actually, while searching for that Kali I did happen to see a couple of recast S3 monsters on eBay now, but they're still pretty high. And in questionable colors, you want your Abominable Snowman in white or blue.

[PlasticSoul]

The thing is someone here actually got busted for remaking a MIMP figure. He even changed it a bit but it wasn't enough. He had to give the company the actual molds he used and refund anyone he sold figures to and stuff.

So it's not like people here are ASSUMING you could get busted. It's happened here already. So no one touches that stuff anymore.

Lots of people do the same thing with other old toylines and nothing ever happens but MIMPS are pretty much off limits as far as reproducing and selling them.

[Ericnilla]

Yeah 'Halfbad' was the member here that made the custom Ogre. MEG send him a subpoena, and if he didn't send them everything and take all info off the web that promoted it, they would have taken him to court.




I could easily make some up (and in rubber, not crappy resin), but i wouldn't wanna risk it.

[IronHeadRat]

Ohhh, so there's a precedent. Nevermind then, guess I'll just get by without those couple of figures.

[ironmask]

Naaaaaaaah, we're just making this shit up. You go right on ahead, as planned.

[GoreVidalMeaty]

what about 3-D printing?  scanning with a phone app or real scanner and then download, and wait an entire day for an inch tall monster? doesn't have to be resin.  they can now print out "rubber".  

[imperfecz]

I don't think MEG cares how you steal their intellectual property, they go after you just the same.

[thenerdieststore]

Who owns MEG new-a-days anyway? Is it Hasbro?

[Er0k26]

I got a very polite email told me to stop making mimp not to long ago.

[Behemoth]

 MIMP'ing.jpg   188.26K   36 downloads

[PaulEWog116]

I got a very polite email told me to stop making mimp not to long ago.

 

It amazes me that they spend the money, time and resources to send letters to people for 30 year old toys.

 

They should do a re-release with new colors if they are so worried about it. I would be all over that. Wishful thinking I know. 

[Behemoth]

It amazes me that they spend the money, time and resources to send letters to people for 30 year old toys.

 

They should do a re-release with new colors if they are so worried about it. I would be all over that. Wishful thinking I know. 

They were still making MIMP as recently as 2006 in Europe and 2012-2013 in Peru, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they are keeping their copyright alive. Especially with the plans for a new series in 2015 (whether it will actually happen is a good question)

[PaulEWog116]

They were still making MIMP as recently as 2006 in Europe and 2012-2013 in Peru, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they are keeping their copyright alive. Especially with the plans for a new series in 2015 (whether it will actually happen is a good question)

 

Yeah but not those mimp

 

But I suppose you are right

Edited by PaulEWog116, 06 December 2014 - 08:02 PM.

[cynical]

Talking about series 3...I've been asking the same question myself for many years and yet I don't know if it is pure elitism or maybe some older collectors fear that their original pieces may devaluate. I've seen lots of people make fan castings of different lines including MUSCLE, Neclos fortress or amalgamations (usually really fugly) of MIMP characters. They even sell them online (very pricy for what they are) and promote them in several blogs or conventions.
5 years ago or maybe more I got a couple Blemmyae resin copies from some nice American guy. They changed colors with sunlight. Technically anyone with mold and casting knowledge can make re-casts. It's not a crime if you don't tell and get caught .
I understand the copyrights and stuff but still, we the poor fellas at least could get neat repros. Not all of us are rich dudes to buy hundred dollars rubber guys.
Sorry if this offends someone, I don't post here that often but love this site and minifigures.
If MEG still love their line that much (like all of us), why don't they re-release series 3? It's like they don't like money!. Always dreamed with series 2 in Mexican Sonrics colors too.

[bigburty]

Talking about series 3...I've been asking the same question myself for many years and yet I don't know if it is pure elitism or maybe some older collectors fear that their original pieces may devaluate. I've seen lots of people make fan castings of different lines including MUSCLE, Neclos fortress or amalgamations (usually really fugly) of MIMP characters. They even sell them online (very pricy for what they are) and promote them in several blogs or conventions.

As someone who has moulded and cast figures as part of the toy collecting hobby, I wanted to point out that until you've had a go at it yourself, you'll have no idea of the costs involved - hence why these figures have to be sold for certain prices just to break even or make a little profit. As I said, I only did it as part of the hobby and used the basic materials, but I know others who do it as part of their livelihood and use far more expensive materials and equipment that what I use. For this reason, they have to be careful what they do and can't risk churning out copies of pre-existing figures. Hope that sheds some light on the matter

[cynical]

Hope that sheds some light on the matter

Thanks for the answer, I didn't mean to be rude. It's good and cool to know.

[MudPuppetJoel]

An official update or re-release of MIMP would be awesome but what I'd love to see as a fantasy crossover would be Ray Harryhausen's creations cast in MIMP form. My wallet would forever be empty.

[fkro6784]

An official update or re-release of MIMP would be awesome but what I'd love to see as a fantasy crossover would be Ray Harryhausen's creations cast in MIMP form. My wallet would forever be empty.

 

Oh man, so much yes. I've especially always wanted a mini figure of the Medusa from Clash of the Titans. The Super7 people should try to get the license.