Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust In-Box Images

I love that photo on the back of the box of him interacting with Soundwave. Huzzah more Decepticons!

I don't know why I find his function of "Industrial Espionage" amusing, but I do.

Soundwave: Exhaust, you know what you must do.

Exhaust: I-I don't know if I can betray my sponsor.

Soundwave: They betrayed you long before this day; they wrote you off; you meant nothing to them. Take this and seek your revenge against all who forgot about you; all who those who wronged you; all at Philip Morris...

SW's SilverHammer wrote:Soundwave: Exhaust, you know what you must do.

Exhaust: I-I don't know if I can betray my sponsor.

Soundwave: They betrayed you long before this day; they wrote you off; you meant nothing to them. Take this and seek your revenge against all who forgot about you; all who those who wronged you; all at Philip Morris...

Brilliant!

OK. I just read TFormers take on this. And... I don't know where they're getting their info from.

MP-23 Exhaust Box Images of Cancelled Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece Figure
By BaCon on Sunday, March 08, 2015

Looks like the wheel are still turning on the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust figure thanks to some new In-Box Images that just appeared on Yahoo! auctions Japan via seller totosouen2. Could this mean the figure is still coming soon or will there be some of these cancelled figures floating around? Only time time will tell. Get a look at the box front and back in the meantime.

I'd like to point out, that no one anywwhere had confirmed that the figure had been entirely cancelled. Lots of speculation, news about no importing, and that recent bit about Hasbro Asia, but it being completely cancelled? Totally unconfirmed.

shajaki wrote:OK. I just read TFormers take on this. And... I don't know where they're getting their info from.

MP-23 Exhaust Box Images of Cancelled Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece Figure
By BaCon on Sunday, March 08, 2015

Looks like the wheel are still turning on the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust figure thanks to some new In-Box Images that just appeared on Yahoo! auctions Japan via seller totosouen2. Could this mean the figure is still coming soon or will there be some of these cancelled figures floating around? Only time time will tell. Get a look at the box front and back in the meantime.

I'd like to point out, that no one anywwhere had confirmed that the figure had been entirely cancelled. Lots of speculation, news about no importing, and that recent bit about Hasbro Asia, but it being completely cancelled? Totally unconfirmed.

I'd wager they're jumping the gun. Only foreign market e-tailers have canceled their orders of the figure. Domestic Japanese sellers will likely still get it.

Sabrblade wrote:

shajaki wrote:OK. I just read TFormers take on this. And... I don't know where they're getting their info from.

MP-23 Exhaust Box Images of Cancelled Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece Figure
By BaCon on Sunday, March 08, 2015

Looks like the wheel are still turning on the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-23 Exhaust figure thanks to some new In-Box Images that just appeared on Yahoo! auctions Japan via seller totosouen2. Could this mean the figure is still coming soon or will there be some of these cancelled figures floating around? Only time time will tell. Get a look at the box front and back in the meantime.

I'd like to point out, that no one anywwhere had confirmed that the figure had been entirely cancelled. Lots of speculation, news about no importing, and that recent bit about Hasbro Asia, but it being completely cancelled? Totally unconfirmed.

I'd wager they're jumping the gun. Only foreign market e-tailers have canceled their orders of the figure. Domestic Japanese sellers will likely still get it.

I would say so - HLJ still hasn't cancelled my preorder, so I'm hopeful.

I'm not going to sell anyone out, but at least one domestic seller has also not cancelled preorders. I'm sure this release is happening.

Hell yes; he gets closer and closer to release.
The packaging looks pretty sweet too.

Just read an article about him. The poster(in another site) kind of presented that the item was cancelled.

Distribution wise, in the American market, there will be "issues" to put it lightly but the figure was not cancelled. Tomy went even further to re design the "M" pyramid pattern.

Sometimes, I wish the so called "reporters" would proof check their posts.

fenrir72 wrote:Just read an article about him. The poster(in another site) kind of presented that the item was cancelled.

Distribution wise, in the American market, there will be "issues" to put it lightly but the figure was not cancelled. Tomy went even further to re design the "M" pyramid pattern.

Sometimes, I wish the so called "reporters" would proof check their posts.

I just read the same article. They are really pushing that cancellation angle. I dropped the news about Hasbro Asia in this thread late last week I think.

shajaki wrote:

What does this mean? I can only speculate, but when places like Toys R Us in Australia get Takara MP's on their shelves, isn't it technically Hasbro Asia doing the distribution? Or am I just really jumbled here?

All I'll say is, I'm still unsure what role Hasbro Asia has. But them cancelling distribution of Exhaust doesn't mean he's cancelled entirely.

shajaki wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Just read an article about him. The poster(in another site) kind of presented that the item was cancelled.

Distribution wise, in the American market, there will be "issues" to put it lightly but the figure was not cancelled. Tomy went even further to re design the "M" pyramid pattern.

Sometimes, I wish the so called "reporters" would proof check their posts.

I just read the same article. They are really pushing that cancellation angle. I dropped the news about Hasbro Asia in this thread late last week I think.

shajaki wrote:

What does this mean? I can only speculate, but when places like Toys R Us in Australia get Takara MP's on their shelves, isn't it technically Hasbro Asia doing the distribution? Or am I just really jumbled here?

All I'll say is, I'm still unsure what role Hasbro Asia has. But them cancelling distribution of Exhaust doesn't mean he's cancelled entirely.

Australia has its own local Hasbro department, much like the UK and Europe. They are the ones who periodically import high-end TakaraTomy figures like Masterpieces. Hasbro Asia does the same for its own territories in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, but having close ties to the main office in the US means no local branch can release MP Exhaust under the pressure of you-know-who.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

shajaki wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Just read an article about him. The poster(in another site) kind of presented that the item was cancelled.

Distribution wise, in the American market, there will be "issues" to put it lightly but the figure was not cancelled. Tomy went even further to re design the "M" pyramid pattern.

Sometimes, I wish the so called "reporters" would proof check their posts.

I just read the same article. They are really pushing that cancellation angle. I dropped the news about Hasbro Asia in this thread late last week I think.

shajaki wrote:

What does this mean? I can only speculate, but when places like Toys R Us in Australia get Takara MP's on their shelves, isn't it technically Hasbro Asia doing the distribution? Or am I just really jumbled here?

All I'll say is, I'm still unsure what role Hasbro Asia has. But them cancelling distribution of Exhaust doesn't mean he's cancelled entirely.

Australia has its own local Hasbro department, much like the UK and Europe. They are the ones who periodically import high-end TakaraTomy figures like Masterpieces. Hasbro Asia does the same for its own territories in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, but having close ties to the main office in the US means no local branch can release MP Exhaust under the pressure of you-know-who.

That being the case, collectors will be importing them by bypassing Hasbro then. Somoene must really be hedging on getting this fig to make a killing in the secondary market.

fenrir72 wrote:That being the case, collectors will be importing them by bypassing Hasbro then. Somoene must really be hedging on getting this fig to make a killing in the secondary market.

They'd have to find a middle man in Japan, which there are fortunately. You just need to find them

It seems our pal Exhaust is spinning around the rumor mill once again. As reported in the past, MP-23 Exhaust is the Diaclone inspired retool of MP-20 Wheeljack which has come into conflict with US laws prohibiting the sale of children's toys with advertising of tobacco products. And due to intervention of lawyers representing Phillip Morris the figure will not be allowed to be imported to the USA, causing many retailers to issue cancellation notices to all those who have preordered him. See BigBadToyStore's official statement below:

Hello,

We regretfully must announce that all preorders for the Takara MP-23 Exhaust have been cancelled. There has been an ongoing legal problem with this figure due to trademarked Marlboro roof/hood design that is not approved for sale in the USA. Takara modified the original design and went into production using a modified paint deco. It appears the redesigned paint deco did not go far enough to fix the problem, and Phillip Morris USA will still not allow this item for sale in the USA. We have been in contact with the law firm representing Phillip Morris and they told us that the changes were not substantial enough to eliminate potential consumer confusion between the Marlboro trademarked design and the current paint deco on the MP-23 Exhaust.

We apologize for the problem on this item, but we must abide by the requests made by Phillip Morris. We look forward to less complicated future Takara Transformer releases.

Sincerely,

Joel Boblit
BigBadToyStore

Retailer Toyer City has also reported that Hasbro Asia will be cancelling distribution of this cigarette inspired retool. But what does that mean exactly?

In the past you may have read stories of chain stores like ToysRus in Australia seeing Takara Tomy Masterpiece figures on their shelves. That is thanks to the distribution from their local office Hasbro Australia. This is much like the often reported Hasbro Asia which covers territories like China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Such a cancellation could mean that those territories will not receive the scandalous MP-23. However this does not mean the figure is outright cancelled. An announcement such as that would likely have to come from Takara Tomy themselves which has yet to happen. Many have also speculated that with the recent in-box shots and being slated to release this month, that an outright cancellation is unlikely.

Stay tuned to Seibetron.com for any developments in this Exhausting Saga....

(Special thanks to the all knowing Seibertronian Jelze Goldrabbit!)

Why do I get the feeling I was indirectly quoted...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Why do I get the feeling I was indirectly quoted...

You were

Also credited. Your help was invaluable, thanks Jelzy

All of this back and forth is exhausting. Makes me want to have a cigarette.

Seibertron wrote:All of this back and forth is exhausting. Makes me want to have a cigarette.

I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother fucker.

What? Slow news day?

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Who cares? As long as he gets released in Japan, I will find a way to get that beautiful blue winged bastard.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Actually, I just thought of something: with no export possibilities to the U.S. or other countries outside of Japan, how would it affect the production numbers? I'd expect them to be lower, with the orders from abroad canceled, but if the figures have already produced, what would happen to them? Better keep an eye on the European stores.

Hah, the Belgium-based Archonia.com still has its Masterpiece Exhaust listing up. That's a good sign...

Just because US retailers are scared of the big bad wolf (AKA Phill Morris) that doesnt mean takara is making a smaller run of these guys. Small chinese based retailers like chimungmung and e bay sellers will buy them all up and make a killing. Then comes the inevitable KO. Phill Morris is beating a dead horse with their juvenile legal outburst. Hope canibus is legal in 5 years and phill morris goes out of business due to backyard growers and hookah bars. Screw phill morris and the god damn marlboro man !

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Actually, I just thought of something: with no export possibilities to the U.S. or other countries outside of Japan, how would it affect the production numbers? I'd expect them to be lower, with the orders from abroad canceled, but if the figures have already produced, what would happen to them? Better keep an eye on the European stores.

Well that's the exact reason I think it's going to shelf warm, I think they produced quite a few knowing it would have broader market appeal her in the US as a novelty. I don't think the Japanese market will have as much appreciation for the Diaclone homage as the U.S would. Also don't Japanese marlboro packages commonly have blue/sea-foam green as their accent color and not red?

SW's SilverHammer wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Actually, I just thought of something: with no export possibilities to the U.S. or other countries outside of Japan, how would it affect the production numbers? I'd expect them to be lower, with the orders from abroad canceled, but if the figures have already produced, what would happen to them? Better keep an eye on the European stores.

Well that's the exact reason I think it's going to shelf warm, I think they produced quite a few knowing it would have broader market appeal her in the US as a novelty. I don't think the Japanese market will have as much appreciation for the Diaclone homage as the U.S would. Also don't Japanese marlboro packages commonly have blue/sea-foam green as their accent color and not red?

A quick Google search shows that's not the case: in Japan the main color is still red. However, the flavored types (think menthol) do have different colors instead of the red.

Desslok2201 wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Who cares? As long as he gets released in Japan, I will find a way to get that beautiful blue winged ****.

Hate to be you when you buy it on ebay half price original fortress maximuss

dragons wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Who cares? As long as he gets released in Japan, I will find a way to get that beautiful blue winged ****.

Hate to be you when you buy it on ebay half price original fortress maximuss

Not really sure what one has to do with the other, but I already have one, thanks.

Desslok2201 wrote:

dragons wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:I have a feeling without the more American online retailers; Exhaust is going to shelfwarm in Japan like a mother ****.

Who cares? As long as he gets released in Japan, I will find a way to get that beautiful blue winged ****.

Hate to be you when you buy it on ebay half price original fortress maximuss

Not really sure what one has to do with the other, but I already have one, thanks.

I only paid 60 bucks for my Exhaust...

The only thing I like on this toy is the head sculpt. Think wheeljack's colors look best on this toy.

I keep wanting to buy this fig but i'm hesitant because of the perceived exclusivity of it due to copyright laws and whatnot.

He's cool and all but i don't want to get caught up in the hype and rush out to get it. Also there isn't a whole lot of Decepticon MP's which also makes it very tempting.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:That being the case, collectors will be importing them by bypassing Hasbro then. Somoene must really be hedging on getting this fig to make a killing in the secondary market.

They'd have to find a middle man in Japan, which there are fortunately. You just need to find them

Thinking some clever Ebay sellers from Japan. Might be able to use clever code words to sell this toy. Like sorry, this is not the right pic or description. You will not be getting Wheeljack. You'll be getting his evil twin brother. That has a different head and red colors.

When Hasbro asked ebay to forbid sellers from sellers KO's on ebay. Sellers starting using the word reissue. Most buyers knew that HasTak never reissued the G1 dinobots toys. Buyers knew these were KO toys.

methinks this battle was over as soon as Phillip Morris became aware of the mold. it didn't matter how much Takara Tommy change the paint scheme the basis of the character was still the same; a Marlboro race car.

If anyone knows anyplace that still seems to be selling them from japan, please message me.

I early pages of this thread I made mention that some Japanese toy/hobby themed companies have sold a somewhat modified Lancia with Malboro decals as an adult collectible. How they got around this stupid issue is beyond me. This is just a big issue because TF is such a hot commodity.

In makes be burst into tears that the very simple means to purchase or sell this item to make sure it isn't purchased by minors is to accept payments via Credit Cards. You can verify the age easily. Below 21 years, don't sell.

Simplicity itself.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:That being the case, collectors will be importing them by bypassing Hasbro then. Somoene must really be hedging on getting this fig to make a killing in the secondary market.

They'd have to find a middle man in Japan, which there are fortunately. You just need to find them

Thinking some clever Ebay sellers from Japan. Might be able to use clever code words to sell this toy. Like sorry, this is not the right pic or description. You will not be getting Wheeljack. You'll be getting his evil twin brother. That has a different head and red colors.

When Hasbro asked ebay to forbid sellers from sellers KO's on ebay. Sellers starting using the word reissue. Most buyers knew that HasTak never reissued the G1 dinobots toys. Buyers knew these were KO toys.

This too.

It is disappointing to see how at this point there are still people who think Philip Morris USA is the main force behind this toy's inability to be sold to U.S. consumers, when it is actually a much greater force at work here: The United States government.

No joke, no crazy conspiracy theories; this toy cannot be sold to U.S. consumers not because of some IP infringement or something, but because doing so would be a U.S. Federal law violation.

Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal for any company to sell any merchandise to U.S. consumers if said merchandise is perceived to be children's merchandise that even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods.

While we fans know good and well that advertising tobacco-based goods to children is not the intention behind this figure's existence at all, no matter how much we may try to separate our hobby from being mere children's playthings and instead being "collectibles" for adults, the courts WILL consider this thing a "toy" and WILL consider its Marlboro-homaging deco as advertisement of tobacco-based goods on that which they consider to be children's merchandise.

As small-minded and ignorant as that sounds, the world we live in is still not yet ready to accept the reality of adults who buy and collect toys, as the concept is still fairly new and infantile in the grand scheme of things.

If this toy were to be sold to U.S. consumers, it is Philip Morris USA who would face federal charges for allowing their brand of tobacco goods to be advertised on children's merchandise, regardless of whether it would be their direct fault for making the toy or not. They would still be at fault for letting it happen, and the courts would most assuredly see that they suffer the consequences of TakaraTomy's actions.

If we put things into perspective, it really isn't Philip Morris USA's fault that TakaraTomy decided to make this toy, but it's their hide on the line here, not Takara.

Had Takara decided to not be so faithful to the real life car's deco in the first place, instead going the route of Hyperspeed Wheeljack by using a deco that gives off only the vaguest hint of the Marlboro chevron, then it is far less likely that Philip Morris USA would have made such a fuss over this toy in the first place since a deco like Hyperspeed Wheeljack's wouldn't be deemed by the U.S. federal courts as something that might be trying to advertise tobacco-based goods on a children's toy.

Even the changes that Takara made to the deco after the fact might have possibly let this toy come to America had they gone with that changed deco from the start. But since they didn't, and had instead begun with the Marlboro-accurate deco, the deco changes came too little too late for them to fix this toy's situation. As soon as word hit everyone's radar that this toy was meant to resemble the Marlboro-sponsored racecar, this toy was forever doomed to its current fate.

The only possible way this toy could be sold to U.S. consumers at this late in the game would be for its deco to be given an extreme, radical, drastic alteration to its deco to make it almost completely dissimilar to the look of the real life Marlboro racecar. Like, by getting rid of the entire amount of its red paint altogether, or something. But that simply isn't economically financially feasible for Takara to do at this point, what with the toy virtually ready and set to go on the Japanese market.

And now they've created a halfway legal, halfway illegal black market, for a toy of all things. Amazing, if only the drafters of this could've seen this in 1998.

Remarkable.
Why can't it just be rated, "M" for mature? Just restrict the sale to children, like, I don't know, like cigarettes!?

When the hell did kids get in charge anyway? I know they're our future and everything but we're living in the present. (and the past for some.(hence the deco!))

Technically, MP Megatron was/is illegal in the US, yet I was able to get one without orange paint, glued florescent plug, or any plug for that matter.

In summary, I wasn't even that interested before the lame controversy. Just release the figure in the first deco.

Convoy wrote:Remarkable.
Why can't it just be rated, "M" for mature? Just restrict the sale to children, like, I don't know, like cigarettes!?

Sadly, to the majority of the world, a toy is a toy no matter what kind of label is slapped on its box, or what kind of market it is sold to.

Sabrblade wrote:It is disappointing to see how at this point there are still people who think Philip Morris USA is the main force behind this toy's inability to be sold to U.S. consumers, when it is actually a much greater force at work here: The United States government.

No joke, no crazy conspiracy theories; this toy cannot be sold to U.S. consumers not because of some IP infringement or something, but because doing so would be a U.S. Federal law violation.

Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal for any company to sell any product to U.S. consumers if said product even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods to children.

While we fans know good and well that that's not the intention behind this figure's existence at all, no matter how much we may try to separate our hobby from being mere children's playthings and instead being "collectibles" for adults, the courts WILL consider this thing a "toy" and WILL consider its Marlboro-homaging deco as advertisement of tobacco-based goods on that which they consider to be a children's product.

As small-minded and ignorant as that sounds, the world we live in is still not yet ready to accept the reality of adults who buy and collect toys, as the concept is still fairly new and infantile in the grand scheme of things.

If this toy were to be sold to U.S. consumers, it is Philip Morris USA who would face federal charges for allowing their brand of tobacco goods to be advertised on a children's product, regardless of whether it would be their direct fault for making the toy or not. They would still be at fault for letting it happen, and the courts would most assuredly see that they suffer the consequences of TakaraTomy's actions.

If we put things into perspective, it really isn't Philip Morris USA's fault that TakaraTomy decided to make this toy, but it's their hide on the line here, not Takara.

Had Takara decided to not be so faithful to the real life car's deco in the first place, instead going the route of Hyperspeed Wheeljack by using a deco that gives off only the vaguest hint of the Marlboro chevron, then it is far less likely that Philip Morris USA would have made such a fuss over this toy in the first place since a deco like Hyperspeed Wheeljack's wouldn't be deemed by the U.S. federal courts as something that might be trying to advertise tobacco-based goods on a children's toy.

Even the changes that Takara made to the deco after the fact might have possibly let this toy come to America had they gone with that changed deco from the start. But since they didn't, and had instead begun with the Marlboro-accurate deco, the deco changes came too little too late for them to fix this toy's situation. As soon as word hit everyone's radar that this toy was meant to resemble the Marlboro-sponsored racecar, this toy was forever doomed to its current fate.

The only possible way this toy could be sold to U.S. consumers at this late in the game would be for its deco to be given an extreme, radical, drastic alteration to its deco to make it almost completely dissimilar to the look of the real life Marlboro racecar. Like, by getting rid of the entire amount of its red paint altogether, or something. But that simply isn't economically financially feasible for Takara to do at this point, what with the toy virtually ready and set to go on the Japanese market.

That's all well and good Sabrblade, and it was the impetus for this whole thing, but PM went well beyond due diligence, almost excessively. Look at the aftermath. We don't have a ban on selling to the US. We have what seems to be a complete stop on shipments ANYWHERE outside japan. We have effectively gone from an embargo on imports to the US to an almost global ban. There is no part of a scorched earth aftermath that doesn't indicate PM's efforts were in drastic excess of their legal obligations.

durroth wrote:That's all well and good Sabrblade, and it was the impetus for this whole thing, but PM went well beyond due diligence, almost excessively. Look at the aftermath. We don't have a ban on selling to the US. We have what seems to be a complete stop on shipments ANYWHERE outside japan. We have effectively gone from an embargo on imports to the US to an almost global ban. There is no part of a scorched earth aftermath that doesn't indicate PM's efforts were in drastic excess of their legal obligations.

The global embargo was more Hasbro's doing than PM since those non-U.S. Hasbro markets that tend to import Takara figures are imported by those foreign branches of Hasbro itself, like Hasbro Asia and Hasbro Australia. Hasbro's foreign branches' not carrying this figure is similar to BBTS's and other retailers' not carrying the figure. And while all of them can't sell it because of PM, PM can't let them sell it because of the federal laws prohibiting it.

If the non-U.S. markets were all handled by a different company than the American-based Hasbro, Inc., then it's possible that the figure could have been easier to get in those non-U.S. markets since a non-U.S. company not bound by U.S. laws wouldn't necessarily have to go along with the wishes of a U.S. tobacco company that doesn't want to get penalized (or even terminated) by the U.S. government. But as it is, both Hasbro and PM have to comply to the laws of their home nation. And even though Hasbro is a global company, since it is primarily an American company, its American regulation/operation influence spreads to the rest of its branches around the world.

Sabrblade posted

Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal for any company to sell any product to U.S. consumers if said product [b]even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods to children.


If that is the verbatim ruling, the more my thesis on selling would be most applicable.

Don't sell to children, even remotely. Check.

Again, I mentioned an overseas company selling a non transforming model of Lancia Malboro (well slightly modified patterns to be exact). (Same as Exhaust with modified decal/stamp graph)

Don't sell to children........process the transaction via Credit Card. The root of this all is selling to children is it not?

If the transaction is NOT at all sanctioned by Hasbro, well fine. They want to play safe, understandable but the way this is being handled borders to hysterically stupid.

I wonder if this will effect people trying to sell these on eBay from Japan to US buyers, and US based sellers who imported them from Japan.

Here's the email from RK. Of course I decided to keep my order!!! Hopefully I can pick up the coin off ebay if they somehow "disappear" from whatever warehouse is storing them now

Hmm...Sabrblade posits the laws regarding Tobacco product marketing is the real reason behind PM's argent pursuit of this matter, but it can't be ALL the reason - if it were the term "trademark infringement" would not have been used.

PM wasn't making a dime off of licensing of their "brand" via this toy. The quotes are there because Exhaust never specifically uses the Marlboro name, but heavily references the design.

There is an easy and simple fix for this, put an easy to remove sticker or vinyl cling on the figure over the red parts. If it's sold not looking like a PM 'infringing' product and the end user/buyer modifies it problem solved.

fenrir72 wrote:Sabrblade posted

Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal for any company to sell any product to U.S. consumers if said product [b]even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods to children.


If that is the verbatim ruling, the more my thesis on selling would be most applicable.

Don't sell to children, even remotely. Check.

Again, I mentioned an overseas company selling a non transforming model of Lancia Malboro (well slightly modified patterns to be exact). (Same as Exhaust with modified decal/stamp graph)

Don't sell to children........process the transaction via Credit Card. The root of this all is selling to children is it not?

If the transaction is NOT at all sanctioned by Hasbro, well fine. They want to play safe, understandable but the way this is being handled borders to hysterically stupid.

No, it isn't verbatim, but a paraphrasing on my part. But as far as the courts are concerned, any merchandise they deem to be a "toy" would be considered merchandise meant to be sold to children, regardless of who its intended demographic really is. Even if it's being sold to adults, they will come down on PM for letting it be sold, period, because it is perceived as merchandise meant for children.

Perhaps a better wording on my part would have been, it is illegal for any company to sell any merchandise to U.S. consumers if said merchandise is perceived to be children's merchandise that even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods.

Doesn't Repro Label save everything? Make a white figure and have Repro Labels make stickers.

Sabrblade wrote:Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal for any company to sell any product to U.S. consumers if said product even remotely gives off the slightest minuscule impression of advertising tobacco-based goods to children.