Recaster question

[clarence]

I mean no offense to anyone, this is just a question from a noob, I'm only trying to learn here....

Technically, is the artist who scratchbuilds a replica and sells original castings of it himself not already walking the fine line of copyright infringement? Sure a guy can scratch build a lightsaber or blaster replica - but the original design of that prop still belongs to Mr. Lucas.

So we're not really talking about theft of someone's original idea - but rather somebody's weeks/months of hard work being exploited in a few hours and tossed onto ebay to turn a quick buck (if I'm way off here, please tell me).

It seems the most you can do is what's already being done - spread awareness of the issue and expose recasters for what they are wherever possible. Anyone who's into this hobby for the love of movies and props will likely do the right thing and want to deal with the person who made the original.

The last paragraph is the way I see it.

Let us hope that Silverholds wise words are noted by all

We do the right thing and deal with the person who made the original:angel

 

[Silverhold]

...and hope that the majority of people will choose not to do business with the recaster.

Why would anyone still want to do business once they know the seller is a recaster? :confused You know going into the deal that they've already ripped off at least one person to get the item for sale!

I'm beginning to see why this topic generates so much ongoing debate.... :wacko :confused :confused

 

[clarence]

Why would anyone still want to do business once they know the seller is a recaster? :confused You know going into the deal that they've already ripped off at least one person to get the item for sale!

I'm beginning to see why this topic generates so much ongoing debate.... :wacko :confused :confused

WHY? Indeed:angel

 

[Moviefreak]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and props in general, so I apologize if I ask the wrong question, or if I word this wrong.

My question is this: We all get heated over people that recast someting that took a modeler months to make... we can all agree to this, but what about when we all want something that was "cast from the original model'? I see people using that selling point all the time, that this is "screen accurate" and "molded from the original". Isn't that recasting? I mean, a guy buys an original prop and molds it, and sells that in the Junk Yard, and the collectors eat it up. But he just recast the original prop builder who made it for the film. Isn't this hipocracy?

Again, I am sorry if i offended anyone, I am just trying to learn a few things here.

Thanks and let me just say: what a great forum and I am thrilled that I finally got the chance to join!!

 

[GeneralFROSTY]

What's the rules say about recasting or buying an item that was recast directly off an original film-used prop?
Years ago, I bought a fiberglass replica of Vader's ROTJ style helmet that I was told was recast from an original.
Back then, before I knew what the heck a recast was, I thought it sounded good and bought it.
Comparing to the original, it really is the same - but I wanted to know if this type of buying is something to be avoided (assuming it is confirmed that the item does come from an original and not someone's really great efforts at scratch building one)
I hope I made my question clear - I'm already confused:wacko:lol

 

[Forestmoonstudio]

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=72732
I asked the same thing awhile back about this guy.

 

[defstartrooper]

Why would anyone still want to do business once they know the seller is a recaster? :confused You know going into the deal that they've already ripped off at least one person to get the item for sale!

I'm beginning to see why this topic generates so much ongoing debate.... :wacko :confused :confused

Because some people just don't care, or they care more about their pockets or having to wait a while or go out of their way to get what they want.
You want a stormtrooper kit from a reputable maker you'll have to wait a while they're busy and have lives, or you can go to eBay and pick up a recast instantly and cheaper.

 

[defstartrooper]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and props in general, so I apologize if I ask the wrong question, or if I word this wrong.

My question is this: We all get heated over people that recast someting that took a modeler months to make... we can all agree to this, but what about when we all want something that was "cast from the original model'? I see people using that selling point all the time, that this is "screen accurate" and "molded from the original". Isn't that recasting? I mean, a guy buys an original prop and molds it, and sells that in the Junk Yard, and the collectors eat it up. But he just recast the original prop builder who made it for the film. Isn't this hipocracy?

Again, I am sorry if i offended anyone, I am just trying to learn a few things here.

Thanks and let me just say: what a great forum and I am thrilled that I finally got the chance to join!!

That's a different situation , for one thing the original maker who makes a prop for a movie or tv show in most cases isn't producing copies so you aren't hitting him in the pocket, he builds stuff for the production, he's paid for his work and as far as he is concerned his jobs done he never expects to make a further income from it.
The exception here is some people for instance MFX who works on Doctor Who buy a license to produce and sell replicas, if someone were to recast their work i would hope that most people would not support that action.

But in general most propmakers don't have any financial interest in the props they produce for movies or tv and as they are under contract they hold no legal rights to the design or work either.
i've yet to see a pro propmaker make a complaint about a hobbyist casting an original item they made for a movie or tv show.
Studios or license holders certainly do and in those cases most makers honour the request to stop producing the offending item.

It is a replica prop forum afterall and unless every single item discussed was a fully licensed official item produced with permission from the rights holder then anything else is technically illegal, luckily on the whole the rights holders don't tend to enforce those rights unless someone is running a commercial enterprise.