MrFlibble
New Member
Worst case scenario is that he's sued for monetary damages for selling intellectual property he doesn't own.
Black Series Boba Fett Helmet Announced
- Thread starter benhs1898
- Start date
Worst case scenario is that he's sued for monetary damages for selling intellectual property he doesn't own.
I only do the interiors.
I make a foam padded helmet liner that looks like electronics. The design is original and 100% mine.
The hasbro interior used my design.
Hasbro is not crediting me for my work.
I take issue with this.
DiggsBarklightr
Sr Member
What have you done to bring your issue up to Disney so far besides on this forum?
The helmet liner in question is not canon. It's never been seen in any star wars book, dictionary, or visual encyclopedia. I have the original prototypes and all the molds I've taken sitting in my office right now. I can name every part I used or built to make the prototype.
But I'm not claiming rights to the concept of a helmet liner that looks like "in-world" electronics and components. There are a number of other artists out there offering different versions of that same concept.
My problem is that the design that I created from my imagination is going to be a feature in however many thousands of these that they sell... But I don't get a credit, a mention, a nod, a thank you note...nothing.
Actually, what I do get is advice that I need to shore up my defenses and make sure my creative process was documented thoroughly because I may be accused of stealing their idea later on down the line.
That's not how this is supposed to work.
But I'm not claiming rights to the concept of a helmet liner that looks like "in-world" electronics and components. There are a number of other artists out there offering different versions of that same concept.
My problem is that the design that I created from my imagination is going to be a feature in however many thousands of these that they sell... But I don't get a credit, a mention, a nod, a thank you note...nothing.
Actually, what I do get is advice that I need to shore up my defenses and make sure my creative process was documented thoroughly because I may be accused of stealing their idea later on down the line.
That's not how this is supposed to work.
MrFlibble
New Member
For intellectual property you don't own. Your work is cool, but you're being a hypocrite here.
I can't discuss any legal options that I may or may not be pursuing.
In the meantime, I'm just trying to get this in front of as many people as I can.
Ultimately, I simply want credit for my work. Someone at hasbro liked my design enough to use it... I deserve credit for that.
How is that hypocrisy? I only make helmet interiors. I don't sell helmets. I don't make helmets. I didn't copy anyone's work.
Actually... Please disregard that last message. I don't need to know why you think I'm a hypocrite. You're welcome to your opinion.
MrFlibble
New Member
For a character you don't own. For pirated replicas. None of which have been licensed.
And frankly it's debatable that Hasbro copied your design in the first place, rather than wound up with a few similarities via convergent evolution.
But like I said, yours is really nice. You should be proud of that. I don't think you have any reason to get your nose out of joint about the Black Series helmet, though.
jusdrewit
Sr Member
I'm afraid you probably wont even get credit. I follow this digital artist who had his SW digital art copied and pasted into a licensed SW book. Some artist that Disney hired to produce the art in the book just literally grabbed his art, applied a Photoshop filter and called it a day. The original artist didn't get a dime or shoutout.
Turns out, desaturate in Photoshop is great. by Ansel Hsiao
I'm sure there's other examples of stuff like this happening and I'm sure the frustration is real tough, its just a brutal world out there
Your asking them to give you credit for using their legal property to make money without their permission. Dude, seriously. I agree it would be cool if Hasbro did use your design to mention they based this off a fan sculpt they liked, but you sound a little silly.
"You need to thank me for using your property without your permission to make money" They could sue you easy.
I am thrilled Disney did not put us all out of business when they bought Star Wars. Normally you use Micky you get the hammer dropped on you.
"You need to thank me for using your property without your permission to make money" They could sue you easy.
I am thrilled Disney did not put us all out of business when they bought Star Wars. Normally you use Micky you get the hammer dropped on you.
I'll be honest. I like the WhiteShadow helmet interiors... and have always felt they were a higher-res interpretation of the Riddell scaled interior. Rectangular box center-back with a circular detail taking up most of its face that has a smaller circular detail in the middle, and a smaller rectangular detail above? Check. Rectangular boxes behind where the earcaps are on the exterior, with round detail pieces near the top where the wearer's ears would be? Check. Segmented padding between? Check. Additional greebling below the padding between the earcaps and rear box? Check.
Honestly, until I get clearer pictures of the interior of the HBS version, I haven't seen those round details on the interior ear pieces. But the greebling along the interior of the lower helmet rim isn't part of the original Riddell design -- just the larger pieces aft of the earpieces. Hasbro designers might have seen the WhiteShadow pieces, given that latter aspect. Or they might just be doing their own take on the Riddell interior, and decided the area below the padding looked too empty. When we get right down to it, if WhiteShadow had done a wholly original design and the HBS bore a striking similarity to that, moreso than the Riddell version, then I think we'd have something. As it is, I'd credit Riddell with the original design concept, and both 1:1 scale parties discussed have done interpretations of that.
As for canon appearance, this is the closest we ever get:
Honestly, until I get clearer pictures of the interior of the HBS version, I haven't seen those round details on the interior ear pieces. But the greebling along the interior of the lower helmet rim isn't part of the original Riddell design -- just the larger pieces aft of the earpieces. Hasbro designers might have seen the WhiteShadow pieces, given that latter aspect. Or they might just be doing their own take on the Riddell interior, and decided the area below the padding looked too empty. When we get right down to it, if WhiteShadow had done a wholly original design and the HBS bore a striking similarity to that, moreso than the Riddell version, then I think we'd have something. As it is, I'd credit Riddell with the original design concept, and both 1:1 scale parties discussed have done interpretations of that.
As for canon appearance, this is the closest we ever get:
You guys should check this book out.
The whole book is pretty much a celebration of the 501st and the costuming community at large. The first chapter attributes the longevity of star wars to organizations like the 501st.
Just a suggested read. It might alleviate some of the fears surrounding the mouse and his hammer.
The whole book is pretty much a celebration of the 501st and the costuming community at large. The first chapter attributes the longevity of star wars to organizations like the 501st.
Just a suggested read. It might alleviate some of the fears surrounding the mouse and his hammer.
That's kind of rude isn't it? Borderline name calling. I mean, I could have responded by calling you obtuse... But I don't know you.
Whiteshadow making a helmet liner has nothing to do with the actual intellectual property. It’s like saying if he made a unique design for an iPhone case he somehow is ripping off Apple’s IP and that they could take his design and resell it to others with impunity. His liner is not based on Lucas Film IP, it’s artist interpretation of what could go inside the helmet, essentially an accessory to an IP item.
There's nothing unethical about making accessories for somebody else's licensed IP. There are countless examples of this happening outside of movie toys/props. For example, just consider the automotive accessory market. I can design a custom car seat that only fits inside the latest Ferrari, and the Modena factory would never think about suing me. JM2C.
[EDIT: dr_slurpee beat me to it!]
[EDIT: dr_slurpee beat me to it!]
At the end of the day any interiors being sold *right* now are based off the Riddell helmets. I'm not saying your interiors aren't nice WhiteShadow but it's based off Riddell's with various changes. There have been multiple producers of interior helmet kits for the past 10 years all based off the Riddell with various changes and first maker that comes to mind is Sidewinder.
I highly doubt there are any legal avenues that could be explored.
I highly doubt there are any legal avenues that could be explored.
I think Riddell would disagree with this.
MrFlibble
New Member
Except of course these weren't made for licensed buckets, and they're effectively a costume or prop piece (e.g. the liners themselves should be licensed the same way the helmets themselves are, because they are intended as Boba Fett cosplay/prop items and not, say, a protective case like the iPhone example). But I don't think White Shadow has anything to worry about from a legal standpoint, because Lucasfilm is very supportive of the fan creative community.
But I don't think Hasbro copied his liner - as an outsider with no vested interest in either side, it looks like confirmation bias to me. There are differences, there are similarities that could easily be convergent evolution, and there is a lot on both sides that is obviously "borrowed" from the Riddell helmet.
The whole thing is a tempest in a tea pot. White Shadow should be proud of his work. We should all be happy to have such creative people in our community. But I don't think Hasbro is ripping him off any more than he ripped off Riddell.
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