Jack Gallows, on 11 September 2015 - 02:45 PM, said:
Which HG technically doesn't have the right to sell, would be interesting if Studio Nue, Big West, and Tatsunoko got involved and things finally were settled. (Hopefully not in Harmony Gold's favor.)
So far all the news I've seen is that they've been licensed from HG and they'll help act as executive producer on the project.
Harmony Gold USA is the company that produces Robotech, the American version of Macross. They are VERY different as Harmony Gold made Robotech by changing up things from Macross and then tacking two other animes on the end of it and calling it a series where the Macross universe diverged significantly after the original show (which was heavily edited to make Robotech.) They claim they have the rights to everything related to Robotech and Macross in the US (which they do not, only distribution rights and merchandise rights outside of Japan,) which they received from Tatsunoko Productions who did the animation work for Macross and only had the rights to the physical animation but nothing else (no characters, story, designs, etc.) Studio Nue owns the rights to the characters, story, art/etc and Big West was the financial partner that helped make it happen.
Harmony Gold goes on a rampage anytime anyone even remotely uses anything from Robotech/Macross throwing out cease and desist orders when it's original licenses only cover the very basic items and that from a company that could only give those very basic licenses. Until the Japanese companies decide to get involved and lay down their authority it's just going to stay that way because it makes HG the defacto owner since no one challenges it legally. Harmony Gold then trademarked the name Macross everywhere pretty much except Japan and the Japanese companies haven't challenged it so if anyone even tries to use the name they'll be inviting a lawsuit from HG....which is seemingly all they are good for.
They killed FASA when they sued them over the Unseen (designs from Macross, though two other animes were involved but those designs were eventually worked out and allowed,) and Battletech lost the images of the Macross Mecha like the Marauder.
It's a constant sore point and one people wish someone would actually do something about but as it involves legal disputes that cost money most people aren't really willing to step into the madness.
There's a lot of good information here. After the lawsuits, FASA realized that their other licensed mecha designs were a liability, and stopped using all licensed designs or art. Including those from Crusher Joe (Locust, Galleon Light Tank), Dougram (Wolverine, Shadowhawk, Griffin, Thunderbolt, Battlemaster), and Victor Musical (art for the Inner Sphere medium mechs and IIC mechs in the original printing of TRO3055).
But, yes, HG has a history of being very lawyer happy. Also keep in mind that although HG tries to keep a handle on the Macross/Robotech enterprise, they are primarily a real estate company specializing in one of the most expensive markets in the US. However, it's my understanding that the originally owner is deceased, and the current ownership has cut a deal with Sony for a live action Robotech movie. Furthermore, even the old ownership did nothing over Technical Readout Project Phoenix (which contained reworks of Macross designs).
My opinion is that we should take a step back and give HG a chance to prove they have
finally learned that their old attitude was doing no favors for Battletech/Mechwarrior, Robotech, Macross, or themselves. If they decide to get nasty? Well, that's when they're fair game for vindictive rhetoric again.
LordBraxton, on 11 September 2015 - 04:35 AM, said:
Excited by marauder. Not excited by price creep. Urbanmech was a community voted exclusive, this is just another heavy mech, IDC how iconic.
I don't see how this is "price creep", the announced price is the EXACT same price as the Urbie packs. For a mech that is more than twice its mass, in the most popular weight class of the game, AND something that more fans want.
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