79 replies to this topic

[Zolaz]

PGI has stated over and over that they do not have the rights to sell Battletech merchandise. However, HS has all kinds of Battletech swag offered with their game. HS can offer Founders and Backer rewards with jackets, patches and caps but PGI is unable to do so?

[Juodas Varnas]

Because they're not SELLING them (technically).

At least i'm pretty sure that's the idea.

Edited by Juodas Varnas, 10 August 2016 - 11:03 PM.

[ScrapIron Prime]

Licensing rights.

[Damocles]

Two different companies two different license agreements?

/boggle?

[Revis Volek]

The only thing i was aware PGI couldn't sell was MINI's or Figures like from the TT game. Even toys might be off the table....

But yea its in the licensing im sure, put HBS also never SOLD any merchandise, they GAVE it away if you BOUGHT a FOUNDER pack for the GAME. This is completely different then selling merchandise outright for cash.

[Metus regem]

Zolaz, on 10 August 2016 - 12:18 PM, said:

PGI has stated over and over that they do not have the rights to sell Battletech merchandise. However, HS has all kinds of Battletech swag offered with their game. HS can offer Founders and Backer rewards with jackets, patches and caps but PGI is unable to do so?

Okay, I'm going to take this at face value, and that you do not understand what happened when FASA closed up...


Three companies got the various rights to everything Battle Tech.

Iron Wind Miniatures got to keep the rights for the miniatures, they are currently the only place to buy new models for TT.

WizKidz got the rights to Battle Tech, sans miniatures, sans "Mech Warrior" (the RPG for Battle Tech), WizKidz then sold the rights to Catalyst Games Labs / Topps, these are the guys that control anything to do with "Battle Tech". They are also the ones that can license the ability to make psychical stuff.

Microsoft got the rights to Video Games (Mech Warrior / Mech Commander / Mech Assault, but not "Battle Tech") and "Mech Warrior", but not the rights to make physical stuff. So when PGI bought a license to use "Mech Warrior" from Microsoft, they would not have been able to get the license to make physical stuff form a company that never had it in the first place.

[Baulven]

Different licenses. Mechwarrior is based on battletech but there is a difference. Battletech is quite seriously electronic battletech so they likely have the same licensing stuff. Also they probably profit split really with the creator, which is fine I enjoy the tabletop. I am just excited about playing my friends that are a thousand miles away again.

[Appogee]

I was really tempted to get a jacket. But it didn't age-appropriate for me to ever wear one

[Tina Benoit]

ScrapIron Prime, on 10 August 2016 - 12:21 PM, said:

Licensing rights.

On any physical goods.

[WarHippy]

Zolaz, on 10 August 2016 - 12:18 PM, said:

PGI has stated over and over that they do not have the rights to sell Battletech merchandise. However, HS has all kinds of Battletech swag offered with their game. HS can offer Founders and Backer rewards with jackets, patches and caps but PGI is unable to do so?

HS is not selling merchandise, but they are trying to work with Topps to do just that. The gear you are seeing was promotional items given away with certain levels of kickstarter donations.

That being said I do hope they can work something out as I would love to buy the rest of the house banners to go with the one I am getting with my pledge tier.

[Alistair Winter]

I wonder how much of a financial impact it would have on MWO / PGI if PGI would have been able to sell physical goods related to Mechwarrior and this game. If they could sell miniatures, jackets, Founder t-shirts, etc. Would this only be a tiny income based on a few whales and hardcore TT fans? Or would it have made a big difference?

[Damocles]

Wonder if PGI's agreement to allow HBS use of MWOs' models would allow HBS to create physical versions for sale
(with profit sharing)

[Metus regem]

Alistair Winter, on 10 August 2016 - 12:39 PM, said:

I wonder how much of a financial impact it would have on MWO / PGI if PGI would have been able to sell physical goods related to Mechwarrior and this game. If they could sell miniatures, jackets, Founder t-shirts, etc. Would this only be a tiny income based on a few whales and hardcore TT fans? Or would it have made a big difference?

Often a question I ask myself, as I know I would buy a Timber Wolf, Warhammer and Phoenix Hawk miniature in a heart beat from PGI, much to my Wife's lament if I were.

[dervishx5]

Yeah Metus got it right. The licensing is split between multiple companies.

That's why independent people on Facebook and so forth are making a killing with unlicensed miniatures and products.

[Bishop Steiner]

dervishx5, on 10 August 2016 - 12:54 PM, said:

Yeah Metus got it right. The licensing is split between multiple companies.

That's why independent people on Facebook and so forth are making a killing with unlicensed miniatures and products.

Yeah... they are all over ebay. Most are pretty poor quality 3d prints, at least.

[Tyler Valentine]

Damocles, on 10 August 2016 - 12:21 PM, said:

Two different companies two different license agreements?

/boggle?

No Juodas is right, HBS has already stated that they can't sell the stuff, they can only GIVE IT AWAY as backer rewards.

[dervishx5]

COPYRIGHT LAW IS FUN KIDS!

[Elizander]

Alistair Winter, on 10 August 2016 - 12:39 PM, said:

I wonder how much of a financial impact it would have on MWO / PGI if PGI would have been able to sell physical goods related to Mechwarrior and this game. If they could sell miniatures, jackets, Founder t-shirts, etc. Would this only be a tiny income based on a few whales and hardcore TT fans? Or would it have made a big difference?

They could work out rights for the models to the company that makes the miniatures, I guess?

[Narcissistic Martyr]

Baulven, on 10 August 2016 - 12:29 PM, said:

Different licenses. Mechwarrior is based on battletech but there is a difference. Battletech is quite seriously electronic battletech so they likely have the same licensing stuff. Also they probably profit split really with the creator, which is fine I enjoy the tabletop. I am just excited about playing my friends that are a thousand miles away again.

You can do that in MegaMek you know.

Bishop Steiner, on 10 August 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:

Yeah... they are all over ebay. Most are pretty poor quality 3d prints, at least.

That's because relatively inexpensive home 3D printers don't have the kind of resolution you need to make a really good model.

I'll be honest. If I wanted to make quality durable models I'd make molds and have them machined with a laser (is it still machining if it's done via laser?) and make them out of pewter.

Edited by Narcissistic Martyr, 10 August 2016 - 01:20 PM.

[martian]

Zolaz, on 10 August 2016 - 12:18 PM, said:

PGI has stated over and over that they do not have the rights to sell Battletech merchandise. However, HS has all kinds of Battletech swag offered with their game. HS can offer Founders and Backer rewards with jackets, patches and caps but PGI is unable to do so?

HBS is not selling those things, HBS is giving them as rewards for taking part in the Kickstarter campaign. Jordan Weisman said that currently HBS does not have right to sell those things (although they are in negotiations to change that).

Edited by martian, 10 August 2016 - 01:21 PM.