Was at the last local meeting and the members were talking about a bill in congress that would allow model manufactures greater freedom in producing military model kits. It seems that companies like Boeing and such are now enforcing copyright on what once was once a gentleman’s agreement. They are looking to collect licensing fees on the likenesses of their products. Now most at the meeting felt this was important to write our elected officials on this issue of passing the bill and the open the gates and allow greater manufacturing freedom.
They see it as a way to further protect the cottage industry from cease and desist letters. Now most on the surface may see this as a way to keep prices down and protect the little guy but I have some questions about this issue and bill. Are American military contractors the only companies asking for fees? Does a company like BAE or Dassault allow free reign on the likenesses of their gear? My second question or concern is will this really protect the cottage industry. The big producers from Asia pac and Eastern Europe stand to make the most of a favorable ruling. Don’t get me wrong I love their kits like the next guy but I see this ruling as an opening of the flood gates killing the cottage industry and American producers of kits. Now let us say for the sake of discussion that with proper wording of this bill we could protect the small producer and offer incentive for Monogram and Revell to starting cutting some fresh molds for a change. Does this see extreme? I'am I off base here?

A fine example of greed at its ugliest.

It is not limited to military contractors. Every company that has an item reproduced can claim copyright. That is why the tires on many wheeled vehicles say Continau instead of Continental. Ford, General Motors and other automakers can claim copyright on racecars. Imagine all the sponser decals placed all over a NASCAR.

I have not read the bill so I cannot comment. However if the bill is to limit copyright claims from the copyright holder I don't see it as any incentive. It's just to prevent copyright holders from asking for fees.

They way I understand the bill it is to cover military hardware only. private stuff is not covered. The argument is the maerican public paied for that tank or airplane So they should have the right to it's image

Hello, mates!
See more about this subject and what YOU can do to help HERE
~Gunny

In non-military model building, licences are the norm, and nothing is produced without them. And to be honest, I don't think they hurt the industry that much. In fact, I think the licencing actually brought car modelling to a new level.

Well that's fine & Dandy...... But On "Military" equip. I've already PAID for the delelopment & Feilding of the real thing... Why shold I have to "pay" again if I want a Miniature fo it?

Matt, your are right, we did pay for the R&D. Problem is non-domestic model companies didn't.

Shaun

See, there is the problem:

I am Dutch, and should I decide to build a M1 Abrams, I definately would not have contributed to it's R and D.

In fact, probably the only vehicle kitted now in any scale that I would have contributed to is the German/ Dutch Fennek recoinnaisance vehicle.

Likewise, allmost none of us ever contributed to the development of say, the Tiger tank....