Enough with the bootleg Vinylmation pins already!!
From my understanding (which may be flawed) a bootleg would have to portray something that Disney has a copyright for. I don't believe this is copyrighted material; it's a collector's unique creation based on Disney products. I think Evilos does fantastic work and I hope it continues. I would categorize this as a fantasy pin, and I do not believe it infringes on Disney's legal rights. Am I wrong?
First off, have you discussed your concerns with Evilos privately? I'm sure he'd be glad to address any objections you may have to what he is doing. Calling him out publicly before doing so privately does not seem like the best way to create any kind of change that you see fit.
As far as his pins being unauthorized, yes, they are unauthorized by Disney. As far as being "bootleg," I feel this may be an improper term to apply to Evilos's pins. Bootlegging, as I understand, denotes unauthorized reproduction. The artwork on Evilos's pins was created by him, in the image of his custom Vinylmation figures. So, is he bootlegging by reproducing his own artwork? I cannot recall Evilos ever misrepresenting his pins as authentic Disney pins. The only thing that wasn't created by Evilos is the pin shape. This brings up another subject of customizable collectibles.
I view the Evilos pins as fantasy pins rather than bootleg pins. Disney pins are not readily customizable the way Vinylmation figures are. Disney sells blank Vinylmations for anyone to create their own. Are these custom-created figures then considered bootleg? I would think not. I feel that pins created in the Disney spirit, but not touted as authorized Disney pins, should be bought, traded, or sold like any other custom artwork. After all, who among us hasn't had an idea for a pin that they wish they could make?
And as for Evilos selling his pins, I see it as an artist trying to sell his art. What he sells his art for is his business and what people want to buy it for is their business. The artwork is all him. Check out his Vinylmation figures to see where it comes from.
This thread will be left open to discussion. Evilos deserves to be able to publicly respond to your comments. Everyone else's comments are welcome, too. Please remember to keep things respectful, mature, and to support your statements. We looks forward to everyone's take on the situation.
Is it just me or has this whole thing with bootleg Vinylmations gotten out of hand? ......
I agree it is completely up to individuals to decide if they want to support bootleg merchandise. What I don't understand is why some pin collectors continually post and talk nonstop about how scrappers are ruining the pin hobby and then turn around and support bootleggers. They are both wrong and they are both ruining the pin hobby. Disney doesn't okay the scrappering of Disney pins nor do they okay the bootlegging of pins that infringe upon the Disney characters.
The way I see it, scrappers are meant to fool people into thinking they're receiving the genuine pin, thereby making them pay a premium. Bootlegs and fantasy pins are sold and bought knowingly as pins not created by Disney but are easily discernible as such (i.e. through Pin Pics or other traders/collectors.) But let's bring it back a little.What I don't understand is why some pin collectors continually post and talk nonstop about how scrappers are ruining the pin hobby and then turn around and support bootleggers. They are both wrong and they are both ruining the pin hobby. Disney doesn't okay the scrappering of Disney pins nor do they okay the bootlegging of pins that infringe upon the Disney characters.
Constance deleted her own post. I can restore it if she wishes to do so.To "Constance Sorrow" who posted what the Wiki explanation of a Fantasy pin (sorry, I can't seem to find your reply on here anymore maybe the moderators deleted it)
I think that's a good point. Pins and Vinylmation collecting tend to blur sometimes and if you're into customizing collectibles of ANY kind, let alone customizing Vinylmation, you would want to create something in one medium that may compliment the other.It was Disney's decision to make the overlap between pins and figures, and this is what it has created...
Now, let's say I knew nothing about Disney pins and unknowingly bought, with my hard-earned money, a bootleg pin. Then I come to find out that it's not actually made by Disney. Would I want the pin any less? Personally, no. I bought it because, like in the scrapped pin scenario, I obviously liked it. For me, finding out a pin wasn't approved by Disney is miles apart from finding out a pin wasn't designed by Disney at all.
Now, I'm fairly educated about pins and I admit that at first I was really confused by Evilos. I didn't understand who he was and at first I actually thought he was some Disney contracted artist that had done a Vinylmation like Noah does. Granted, I'm not really into Vinylmations, but it did take me quite awhile to realize that he was not affiliated with Disney.
The most important aspect about pin trading, whether online or face-to-face, is to have fun and enjoy the hobby, and to meet other pin collectors in the process. Whether you are trading at a Hard Rock Cafe, a pin show, a sporting event, or in front of your computer, the thrill of the trade is what keeps us going, and for many of us, that's where the fun begins.
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