I’m more or less that bootlegging isn’t okay, but short of goin’ there and beatin’ the shit out of the guy until he stops, nothin’ is goin’ to be done. Can’t do a cease and desist. Bootlegging is gonna happen. When someone, regardless of who they are supports it, take your stance and ride that wave. When Headlock was threatened to be bootlegged I had extensive conversations with Ken about it, where him and I came to our own conclusions. What else is there to do? Sure you can be vocal about your discontent for it, and I’m all about the dialogue, but this outrage and accusations of chips on shoulders is weak. If an artist I know and liked got a hold of a Headlock boot and did their own shit with it I’d take it straight to ‘em with questions. Not talk shit in a private chat and admit I don’t have the balls to publicly say somethin’ like another collector did. All this whack ass persecuting and shit sounds like Lars Ulrich when he cried in court about Napster, and I’m willin’ to bet every single person on this board has illegally pirated music and/or movies. I’ve also recently bought some bootleg White Zombie and Sepultura shirts/hoodies if anyone wants somethin’ else to be mad about. I’m a huge fan of Paul’s and I’m friends with Mori and Jon. I’ve openly expressed my issue and distaste for their bein’ bootlegged, and I know of several artists and friends that have bought boots, painted them shits and sold ‘em. I handled that in my own way: talked to some of the artists bein’ booted, the artists that bought/painted the boots, let ‘em have at it. I’m not gonna not be friends with someone over somethin’ so trivial that literally no one but the bootlegger himself has control over. I’m not sayin’ no one can be bothered or upset, certainly the artists. But collectors makin’ shit personal and throwin’ around private threats of offing an artists collection? Have at it. I’m sure that’ll show ‘em.
Damned you guys! I m obviously less knowledgeable about who s victim of bootlegs and who isn’t and since when. What motivated me to write the post above is the shock to see an artist I know (the work of) and collect selling a bootleg toy. I came to the news by going on his website hoping to grab the Goyjin he painted. And that is what I’m saying and writing: I’m shocked. I think it’s relevant to our toy discussion on this forum. My point was/is I think it’s bad for the community that a known artist sells bootlegs and/or says the bootlegs are of high quality. I think that is wrong. I think it obviously affects the artist it’s a bootleg of as well as everyone else, including the artist selling it. Like shooting oneself in the foot. @xSuicide Squadx I hear you don’t think it is the case at all. I have most trouble understanding the argument and I’ll try and wrap my head around it. On the other hand, I don’t think the name of the artist it’s a bootleg of, nor the guy painting it and selling it matters that much. The problem I’m raising could be titled: ‘renowned artist endorsing bootleg of a colleague, WTF???’. That is new to me. Are there others doing that? Are y’all ok with that? Maybe this hobby is way more punk than I thought. Btw, I’m pretty sure Rich would rather have people not speak about this at all. He has no need of white knights and probably cringe when they show up anyway. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not about him. I see this affecting all makers/artists and collectors alike. And I have most difficulty getting how you don’t seem to see that. I’m getting after reading you guys that there are unresolved feelings between people in the community.That is not something I was aware of nor something I care about. It is as irrelevant as trying to ‘save’ Rich from bootlegs.
You’re right, it’s not just about Rich. But that, and the other artists I mentioned, are solely the ones that get whimpers of disgust. I wholly agree, it affects everyone, but that’s not the conversation that gets had. And I’d much rather an actual conversation, as you’re presenting us with @nico000, as opposed to “fuck Joe” comments in a secret club chat. There’s definitely morality issues that can be addressed, but that again comes down to individuals. There will never be a collective one side against the bootlegging. A And other than pissing people off Zheng isn’t winning shit. He’s an immature clown that made bootlegs out of spite for attention, and he’s been getting what he wants ever since. Just like Joe said, he’s losin’ WAY more monies on trollin’ than he is makin’. Artists spend upwards of $5K on Japanese production for a single figure and don’t see a return for years. With how much this dude has produced I’m sure it’s enough for everyone on this board to collectively go bankrupt. Again, I ask: aside from a dialogue of opinions and takin’ stances, what is anyone gonna do?
happened more than a handful of times already being sold as “unsure if it’s real” when they know where they got it from and a history based on pricing and stuff. I spoke on that a while back in the thread, throwing it up on eBay with a disclaimer is whack when they know the truth but try to cover their ass.
Was a public link for any to join for weeks. So to say this is CIBOTL is a big eye roll. Was open to anyone who took the time to simply sign up or if you had discord already just join the server. and locked down as we were going to do a discord member exclusive. Which makes sense to lock it down and reward those who signed up and active and engaged, versus leave it open with the announcement for those to now arrive just to enter.
A little late on weighing in. I collect a lot of different toys and simp for no one. This subject shouldn't even be an argument. Taking someone else's art/creation and remaking it to sell is bad and should be frowned upon. No one should be supporting this in any way. All arguments here on both sides are mainly about semantics and not about the actual bootlegging.
Wait, you mean to tell me there’s secret handshake clubs around these parts!? still continues to be a weird convo being as most of this making is based on or derived from bootlegging. Like a field of this collecting even uses the tag (pachi) it’s like getting upset your pus and skulls astrovoy is getting bootlegged And yeah. If anyone wants to part with their funky smelling NnN lmk. uWu n_n
@patrickvaz From an artist perspective I can definitely see it ruffling shit tons of feathers, but when you can’t do shit about it I feel like the only option is to stop caring. Collector perspective, like I said, pick a side of the fence and just stay there.
Going hard as hell per usual you're absolutely right. Bootlegging is shitty to the artist of course; it feels bad having someone rip off your work. But as an established brand with ballooning demand, it boosts hype imo--now you need legit checks, everyone is sweating and willing to spend fast on the genuine article. That's simply how limited art works when fakes enter the scene. This might have gone too far with KAWS, where the best boots are basically impossible to tell from the real thing. That's a real problem for anyone who doesn't own a legit piece for checks, however hardcore. But the handmade element of sofubi, the craft, thankfully makes that situation less likely. You literally need a painter as skilled as the original, using the same quality of paint and types of techniques, to produce a near-perfect replica.
@hanxhill A new White Zombie bootleg post just went up they’ll be droppin’ soon. Looks like I’ll be takin’ even more food out of Rob’s mouth with this one. Dude’s gotta be starving at this point.
Bootleg Bolt Thrower merch. We have reached the next level of meta-discussion. cracks knuckles Anybody else catch their 2013 tour? Amazing. I bought multiple shirts directly from the band. I also remember stumbling around MDF that weekend and I might have also bought a bootleg Realm of Chaos back patch from a rando vendor. Best of both worlds?
@deafmetal Sadly, I’ve never seen Bolt Thrower. Bucket list band for damn sure. I’ll be seein’ Obituary in February, though! As well as Mayhem(FINALLY) in March.
