Evereything below is also pretty much simplified, but I see it like this:
1. - Items cast directly off screenused stuff - fantastic - bring it on -
2. - Items cast of copies of "1." - still ok, and I believe the base of many
things out there like altered copies of the DP Deluxe and such stuff.
This is already the point were people are starting to make claims
about some stuff even tough they are only recasters themselves.
3. - Items cast of FAN-MODIFIED copies of "1." or "2." - here's were the
real trouble starts. Somebody has put work into a Helmet either to
make it more screen accurate looking or to give it a personal note.
If these Telltales get copied by someone else the original makers are
of course pretty pissed off - this is already what I try to avoid buying
at least if it hasn't been so heavily modified that it is much better than
it's origin. So if not simply recast but also reworked to make it better
you have another point to argue about - I'm a bit torn on this one, as
you have differences from case to case.
4. - Items cast off somebody elses Original work. This is where the fun
really ends for me. Some artist starts with nothing but a hunk of clay
and thus is the creator of the finished result whatever it may be.
It is an Original Sculpt (now I'm not even going into LICENSING!)
Some scumbag arrives on the scene and buys a copy of that work
only to make molds and sell (most likely cheaper) versions of the
original artists work - that is something that deservers heavy beating
with the old "beating stick" in my opinion!
5. - Items cast of Original stuff that is owned privately. Now this is a bit
different than "1." - Let's say "Mr. XYZ" purchases a Screenused
Stormtrooper Helmet for a LOT of $$$ in an Auction or whereever.
Mr. XYZ now decides to have molds made and to share a very small
and limited run of his prized posession to either regain some funds,
or just out of sheer joy for the hobby and happiness to share ...
(yes yes - a rare case ... LOL ...) This is perfectly fine for the small
amount of people lucky enough to get a shot at this rare item.
Now it gets tricky and ugly when we get to point "6." ...
6. - Items Recast of "5." without permission of the Owner of the Original.
A lot of people would pay anything to get a copy of stuff like that, but
The owner of the Original had decided to only share with a selected
few people since he can do with his own property whatever he likes.
Again I'm NOT talking about LICENSING here, as our whole hobby
lives from unlicensed items and a Code of Honor that recasters break
on a regular basis to make profit, and that's what its all about here.
So let's say "Seller ABC" gets his dirty recaster mitts on one of the
Stormtrooper Helmet castings from "Mr. XYZ" and copies it.
Again this is the point where the fun ends, as Seller ABC is STEALING
the property of Mr. XYZ - selling recasts for profit !!! - this again is
time to fetch the old beating stick and give it good to "Seller ABC" .
7. - Items recast of Licensed pieces. Ok ... tricky again, as it makes a
difference from case to case. Let's say I want an accurate looking
Lightsaber, and Company A offers one for 1000,- USD ... OUCH !!!
I only want it to have it hanging on my Vader Mannequin and look
good, so "Seller ABC" offers a Resin recast of this Saber for 50,-
bucks ... I'm sorry, but I have no choice than to buy from Seller ABC
since the price policy of some companies is so ridiculous for the
"mass produced crap" they are all too often offering, that I'm not
willing (not even able) to spend such a huge amount on a "TOY".
So in this case ... welcome to the dark grey Zone of opinions ...
Also Companies are out there to make money, and are not really
a part of the comunity - although some tried to "come down" to
us poor earthlings and throw us some bones from time to time ...
8. - Items recast of Discontinued Licensed Pieces. Mostly the same as
in "7." Since some stuff just isn't available anymore and often the
only chance to get some stuff is in form of copies of this item.
But this is again the "company out to make money" thing - these
are just all too often "left out" of this Code of Honor among thiefs -
Man ... this was again an awful lot to write, and I'm sure I forgot about
half of what I wanted to say or point out, but you can discuss and argue
pretty endlessly about all this, and in the end it all comes down to this:
RESPECT - you are part of a comunity - respect others work and property
and don't "steal" from your own kiln or it will go down on you like a bunch
of rabid dogs ...
Cheers,
Jesper