[UNSDB] Harmony Gold and the Tatsunoko vs. BigWest/Studio Nue conflict

I am sure many of you have already heard about this conflict and the
inexcusable and erratic behaviour Harmony Gold has been displaying towards
stores that sell imported Macross items in the US and abroad.

For those of you who haven't, here is a complete and very comprehensive
summary of the whole affair at the following URL:
http://www.toyboxdx.com/rumble_plus/042702-hg.html

I think the behaviour Harmony Gold displays is inexcusable. They are trying
to pressure Macross stores into submission, pretend that their legal claim
is sound (which it is not), and even force them to surrender all Macross
items. This would be legal if they had a legitimate claim to the Macross
rights but they do not.

Fact is that despite Harmony Gold statement to the press on robotech.com
that the "litigation in Japan involving Tatsunoko, Big West and Studio Nue
does not affect Harmony Gold or its licensees" (cf. statement on
robotech.com, http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=87 ) they are
affected by the verdict of the Japanese courts as well. The crucial fact is
that one of the "rights in Japan" is the right of the show's copyright
holder to license Macross to an overseas agent of their choice. Tadaaa...

I am really fascinated by this and would like to hear about what you people
think about this. I for my part planed on ordering a few items from their
store while i am still in the UK (laxer customs regulations than in Germany)
but now I will definitely not do so just to give them any more financial
support in the probably and hopefully upcoming lawsuit against Big West.

Also I would like to point out to you a petition that is in the works
against Harmony Gold. Please check it out at
http://www.happymoonasia.com/MACROSSPETITION.html and consider taking part
in it.

If you like I can also post the collected information on this whole affair,
just let me know. In any case I will post the entire letter sent by HG's
lawyers to the stores in a separate post.

Your opinion?

-Burn

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