BTTF Paper Prop Recaster: Alexakos from Greece (eBay)

[DB537]

Ebay user Alexakos from Greece is selling prints made from my BTTF Futaba remote label and what appears to be Roland's BTTF Radioactive label files posted here on the RPF.
I've posted a photo from his listing showing other prints, and I'm almost certain that most of them also came from the BTTF paper prop thread.

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

He's also selling a swan flight plutonium case for $750!! You can get a new one from the company for half that! Oh and he's got a HC Marty jacket for $675!!

 

[ALEXAKOS]

Hello DB
After having received a pm on my eBay account getting blamed of using other people's files, I was quite sure this would be discussed in here and searched for this thread.

I would like to thank you for opening this thread and giving me the opportunity to clear my case.

I own a Delorean (5992) which I did an extensive restoration and it was applauded by worldwide owners. Since then I started getting into Bttf. Buying props from eBay etc,

I was so disappointed by the poor quality offered ( paper radioactive stickers) and not all that correct in size and look. Since I am a graphic designer since 1999 I used the measurements ( from screen shots and real life items like the Delorean or the plutonium case) and I made them on Corel draw.

For many of my props I made over time I used ( the now taken down) websites referring to them and their items used. So I am not sure if this means recasting?

The Rpf was a site I used when I first found star wars props being made and ghostbusters. But I never got into making any of that after all.

I think it's great that you guys are sharing for free those items ( had I known that, I would probably not start selling them in the first place).

My prices include free shipping, printing, eBay and PayPal fees and a 10% of ALL MY SALES go to the Michael j Fox Parkinson's research, so there is not really much left over for me in the end.
I just offer these as a completion to other props I sell. And these do kinda bring the food on the table since I am unemployed for over 2 years now ever since my graphic design business went south due to the Greek crisis.

I hope you are not offended that I created replicates. I do realize these items belong as rights to someone. So I rest my case by offering money to MJF good cause!

Keep up the good work!!

 

[ALEXAKOS]

He's also selling a swan flight plutonium case for $750!! You can get a new one from the company for half that! Oh and he's got a HC Marty jacket for $675!!

Yes! Most sold at $600 as I give the make an offer choice.

The Swan flight comes to me in Greece from the uk for a total of $470 cause it's ups expedited at 17 kilos!!! $230 left

10% goes to Michael j fox : $170 left

12% goes to eBay and PayPal : $98 left

Shipping costs between $50-$70:

So you see making $30 to $48 is not such a tragic gain right???

So if you guys are looking to bash somebody, try o er 70 eBay sellers who bought a Pepsi bottle for $20.15 4 days ago and are selling it for $109-$300 PLUS SHIPPING and no charity!!!


I hope I am not still the bad guy here

 

[DB537]

View attachment 79854

A friend pointed your listings out to me. Here is your reply to their message on eBay:

New message from: alexakos (947Purple Star)
My friend,
I understand what you are saying and I assure you I am not aware of the Rpf files.
I am a graphic designer (since 1999) and I create my own stuff.
The futaba label was made two months ago when I got my first futaba remote. I don't work with illustrator but with Corel draw.

All stickers I sell I made them cause I once bought similar ones from other buyers and they sucked. So I created my own.

In opposition to all others, I give 10% to Michael j fox research.

You make BTTF props, you've been a member here for over 2 years, and you're NOT aware of the files? :unsure
Since my work is already posted here, perhaps you should post your own files here as well for comparison.
If I'm wrong, you will have my apology. But I've seen so much of this stuff lately that I no longer trust anyone.

 

[ALEXAKOS]

Nice. Are these yours?
My futaba is not black. It has silver lines to replicate the metal finish ( although hardly seen from the plotter printer)

And my radioactive has rounded edges and the yellow has a bit more magenta in it making it a bit more orangy to match the Swan flight case yellow. The citron yellow was a bit off. Corel draw color pallet has a few issues between the onscreen appearance and the printed outcome.

 

[ALEXAKOS]

Sorry just read your text below. I have nothing to prove. I have made enough stickers already that surpass your two.

It's not all that hard you know. Most of the fonts are the same on all stickers and the rest is just Arial.

Sorry if you think I stole something. I got plenty of work done to prove I am capable of making stuff. If anybody has a right to ask for rights that would be Labelmaster and Futaba for copying their work.

Keep up the good work

 

[DB537]

It's not all that hard you know. Most of the fonts are the same on all stickers and the rest is just Arial.

ARIAL? Really? If you actually created any of this you would know that ARIAL is not used on any of these props.
It's NOT ARIAL in your eBay photos, and not in mine posted here. ARIAL is NOT used in 1980s movie props.
That is HELVETICA. Of course you would know that if you REALLY created any of this stuff. But you DIDN'T.

If you really had nothing to prove, you would have just posted the files to set the record straight.
They're already here in my original post anyway. And I don't see any proof that you made anything that
hasn't already been posted elsewhere, by others. But you have already been caught in your own lie. You
don't even know what fonts are used in your own prints.

 

[ALEXAKOS]

My futaba capital letters I used Arial.

 

[BlobVanDam]

In my opinion, the Futuba sticker in the OP (ie. the eBay one) does not match DB537's design posted in this thread (unless there was an earlier revision this might have been stolen from).
Look at the spacing on the FP-T8SGA-P in the bottom left, especially the first dash, and the spacing between the P and the border next to it. Also, the PCM letters have an outline in DB537's version, whereas the other one has it as a drop shadow style. The BA in the FUTUBA logo in the bottom right don't look as even as DB537's version either. There are also a few other minor spacing differences with the up/down arrow placement, and the "/"s look different. I haven't compared the other files posted. Just my opinion of course, not taking anyone's side.

 

[DB537]

My futaba capital letters I used Arial.

I've got your original eBay photos right up there in my first post. Proof that you are a liar.
You're actually going to try to tell me that I'm seeing ARIAL font ANYWHERE on that Futaba?

You clearly don't know me, so let me give you a little background on my experience.
I spent FOUR years staring at Type Specimens and Font Catalogs painstakingly until my eyes
ached, matching the fonts of every single one of the Hill Valley Telegraph newspapers. I also
spent countless hours reviewing thousands of fonts simply for the purpose of creating FREE
and ACCURATE replicas of many other props to be SHARED with the fans of BTTF. Not sold at
a profit on eBay.

You can argue about color differences and rounded corners all you want, but these things are
very easily edited.

Getting back to the font issue which proves your statement to be a lie:

 

[DB537]

In my opinion, the Futuba sticker in the OP (ie. the eBay one) does not match DB537's design posted in this thread (unless there was an earlier revision this might have been stolen from).
Look at the spacing on the FP-T8SGA-P in the bottom left, especially the first dash, and the spacing between the P and the border next to it. Also, the PCM letters have an outline in DB537's version, whereas the other one has it as a drop shadow style. The BA in the FUTUBA logo in the bottom right don't look as even as DB537's version either. There are also a few other minor spacing differences with the up/down arrow placement, and the "/"s look different. I haven't compared the other files posted. Just my opinion of course, not taking anyone's side.

If I were the type of person to do this sort of thing, the first thing I'd do is make some minor alterations just in case this very thing ever happened.
The fact that he doesn't even know the correct font used in the label is a very strong implication that he never spent any time actually creating it.
I did in fact post several different versions of the green PCM logo back when I was first working on this. I think Roland also posted one as well.

 

[BlobVanDam]

Fair point on the font, that R is clearly Helvetica. I was just pointing out the differences, but you're a lot more familiar with your work to know the "tells" in the similarities that don't come from two people simply copying the same source. As I said, it was just my opinion, for what little it was worth.

 

[DB537]

I believe the Radioactive label is actually Roland's on closer inspection. But I will eat my hat if the Futaba isn't a modified version of my own.

 

[ALEXAKOS]

Boun appetite on the hat.
I never had Helvetica! I use a replica of it called SWISS.

Listen db. I am not going into this any further. It's getting ridiculous. Bottom line, if you need recognition I am giving you my respect to your work.
Like I said, I have replicated over 20 stickers most of which have common fonts. Some were tweaked others (like futaba) done from scratch tracing from a photo. Corel does a great auto trace which in 20 minutes you can clean up from excess points.
I rest my case!
Enjoy your builds and props.. Take care

 

[DB537]

Boun appetite on the hat.
I never had Helvetica! I use a replica of it called SWISS.

Listen db. I am not going into this any further. It's getting ridiculous. Bottom line, if you need recognition I am giving you my respect to your work.
Like I said, I have replicated over 20 stickers most of which have common fonts. Some were tweaked others (like futaba) done from scratch tracing from a photo. Corel does a great auto trace which in 20 minutes you can clean up from excess points.
I rest my case!
Enjoy your builds and props.. Take care

My futaba capital letters I used Arial.

I'm done with this as well. I think everything has been said that is needed.

 

[Roland]

I believe the Radioactive label is actually Roland's on closer inspection. ...

My label actually has a small difference to the real label, which is hardly noticeable, if you don't know it. Alexakos's label has that same difference, so it's very likely my work. But since it's not a prop that I want to sell myself, I really don't mind if someone makes money by selling it.

http://zubcic.com/pdf/Plutonium_Case_Radioactive_Sticker_remade_by_Roland_Zubcic.pdf

 

[80sguy]

Boun appetite on the hat.
I never had Helvetica! I use a replica of it called SWISS

LOL, can't even keep your story straight.

 

[TomVDJ]

My label actually has a small difference to the real label, which is hardly noticeable, if you don't know it. Alexakos's label has that same difference, so it's very likely my work. But since it's not a prop that I want to sell myself, I really don't mind if someone makes money by selling it.

http://zubcic.com/pdf/Plutonium_Case_Radioactive_Sticker_remade_by_Roland_Zubcic.pdf

Mmm, you might not mind, but the RPF community is not too keen on people lurking around here and selling stuff that is offered for free, here. If indeed the Plutonium label is your work, and Alexakos is selling this, than there is a problem, in my humble opinion... Even if he doesn't win much on them, and part of it goes to the Michal J Fox Foundation, it still is wrong...