Selling customized sets forbidden?

[tahra]

I totally understand Geobra's point on Bommel's case because involving religion with a toy brand that has nothing to do with it can be absolutely offensive and misinterpreted, not just by the Geobra crew or PM fans but also by believers, either conservative or non conservative.

I disagree about the having nothing to do with it. We have official playmostuff from one religion, not even masked as something else, unfortunately.

Though I don't like klicky violence in any setting. It's just... off.

[Luis]

I disagree about the having nothing to do with it. We have official playmostuff from one religion, not even masked as something else, unfortunately.

that is true...my point was that playmobil's main target are not religious oriented institutions or audiences (they can be one of them, but not the main ones, main ones are kids in general) not even with those sets (noah's ark, nativity set, etc)

[bonniebeth]

I think part of the issue was that this minister or whatever was somehow making money off of these pictures of the religious playmobil customs, using them to draw people to his organization, which was in no way affiliated with playmobil. i can understand that objection. It's the same as having a giant klicky outside of a bar. It's misleading, looking as though that business is affiliated with playmobil, and it's sponging off of playmobil's fame to bring in customers, without pm getting a cut.

That's not "customized". She just positioned the klickies and accessories in a similar fashion to the real court. Customized would be if she had altered the klickies and parts in some way - the least would be swapping body parts (disassembling klickies that are not supposed to be taken apart).

I believe she did take them apart and swap parts, as the article said she demonstrated the hans-on method in court. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Baron Marshall]

what you can take them apart on purpose  ... i just thought they "accidentally" sat in that position and fell apart during "normal" play 

[PrimusPilus]

I believe she did take them apart and swap parts, as the article said she demonstrated the hans-on method in court.

I must have missed that part. If so, then yes, she "customized" them.

Still, I can't stop thinking that Geobra just wants to give sellers a scare. Specially what I call the "large scale private sellers" that are not Geobra sanctioned retailers.

And about the themes of the customization, I totally understand and agree with Geobra that going religious in the themes is very iffy. Some passages of the Bible or Koran could be deemed offensive to some Christians and Muslims, and PM being an innocent toy, it has no business meddling with that. Yeah, yeah, I know better and you all here know better, but some people might take offense. So Geobra is very wise in keeping distance from these subjects.

The nativity theme is a bit different, since Christmas has been universally accepted in the modern world, so Geobra "can" issue sets in that theme without fear of getting a large bunch of people upset.

[mike1003]

well, when he would have never used that word playmo or playmobil in his description, geobra wouldnt be able to stop it! thats worldwide law. he only had to stop as he used the term playmo bibel..

to use playmobil as a medium is allowed, the copyright problen only occurs when its called playmo or playmobil!

[Playmofool]

well, when he would have never used that word playmo or playmobil in his description, geobra wouldnt be able to stop it! thats worldwide law. he only had to stop as he used the term playmo bibel..

to use playmobil as a medium is allowed, the copyright problen only occurs when its called playmo or playmobil!

This is quite probably the fact that was missing in my statement.

[Giorginetto]

Cool pic btw !!!! 

[CountBogro]

... There is some kind of "restriction law" on customized klickies on the geobra homepage.
... I don't know if they can win every lawsuit just by putting some kind of "geobra law" online (for example: the rights of artists have to be respected), but at least it may be the basis for their lawyers to take action - and their lawyers are probably well-paid experts. It may be you run out of money before any judge tells you that you are entitled to customize klickies any way you want. ...http://www.playmobil.de/on/demandware.store/Sites-DE-Site/de_DE/Link-Page?cid=CUSTOMIZING ...

I've taken some words osut of your quote, Playmofool. I hope you don't mind...

Anyway ... I've been wondering about this for quite a while now. I think there's a HUGE problem here.
The text is only on the German site (well, definitly not the Dutch on) and it's only available in German (well, definitly not in Dutch - I haven't checked all sites).
I can't see how I can be legally bound here by a document that's not in my official language (that's Dutch here) and not even available through the normal channels.

I still think that the article mentioned by Playmofool is only ment to serve a particular German law and Germany.
Although I still think the Malta case here is either barmy or something else is going on ...

But that's just me.

Mark

[mike1003]

hi dont believe its paricular german law as the stupid idiot harald schmidt sometimes uses playmobil customs for making fun of people! and he is broadcasted at a TV station !