Contacted by the nfl in regards to licensing issue. I personally talked with the nfl lawyers over the phone.
We changed the BuzzBall website to their satisfaction as NOT selling nfl merchandise.
They allowed us to show figures that were painted up with nfl teams, as modeling the figures, but specifying that the figures are sold "unpainted"..........The nfl was cool with that, ...........as they looked at the website and gave me a "clean" bill of health. .............if the nfl was okay with that then everyone else should be too!
By the way, there is no such thing as a hobby clause for selling unlicensed logos..
It's really up to us to grow the hobby so it can get to a point where the numbers make sense to invest in a license.
But I have to tell you, ........... after being in this hobby for almost 10 years, ..... there are too many guys making there own stuff to save money and not buying from legit companies, and others that are undercutting prices to get sales for their start-up ventures, ..............most guys are out of business within 18 months............
I read a post where one guy was questioning a price about a product, and another said he invested thousands and not expecting to get it back, ..... but businesses DO expect to make a profit.
Image that, ...............how dare a business expect to make a profit on their investment. I think once everyone respects a business model that is geared to get a return on its investment, then we can expect to see more new products and hopfully, we will be growing at a more rapid pace.
I think key indicators are seeing what excaliber does, ..............did anyone really think they would roll out with all the teams in January??? now it's March, ..........I have seen nothing on their web site site that indicates they now have nfl teams..............which they said they would have in March...... does anyone know if they are in?
If they make the move to get some teams, then I can read that as a good sign, ............if we never see any teams, ............then one could read that they don't think it was wise for them to INVEST in this hobby/game for their business.
And on the nfl and college licensing thing,............. realize it is their business, and they allow folks to make money off their business (logos) via licensing. I was caught with my "unathorized" hand in the cookie jar, ..........I understand that,...............and I dealt with the nfl in a professional manner, knowing once in their radar, they would periodically check back with SIW.
If I have the money to invest in the nfl license, I would do so only knowing that I made a wise choice in my investment. miggle saw what was going on, and they made the decision not to renew their license, .............I don't think the nfl chose another company, .............like the first post states, .........they are out to make money..............it is the American way.flg$
And guys, ..........with the way oil prices are skyrocketing, ............the price of plastic is rising accordingly, ........... which means it is going to get REAL expensive to roll out new products.
