Counterfeit Heaven

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T50

T50

A Fixture
Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
2,022
Gents
While I was at Euro, a young Chinese modeler informed me about this.
Check out this site:
http://www.staffhobby.com/index.htm

Not only you will find counterfeit figures of all brands (including Alpine),
you wil also notice that the website itself was a direct copy of Alpine's.
He also brags about his dealers in China.
I know some of you don't take this type of illegal activity seriously, but
this individual is hurting everyone is this hobby: the small manufacturers,
their legit dealers and eventually the modelers.
There is a contact info. Please send him your kind regards.

·Email [email protected]
·Msn [email protected]
·TEL ?(86-0)13391307085

Thanks for your support!
Taesung Harmms
 
GOOD LORD! :eek: Not only does this dirt bag STEAL from the likes of Taesung and others, but he uses their pictures too! I My e mails were sent out. Not that they'll ever get an answer........

Obviously the word isn't getting out to most people. We here at pF (and various other modeling forums) deplore the illeagle copying of a manufactures goods. We all understand what it does to the hobby but we still see these "cloak and dagger" stores popping up. Thankfully there are a lot of modelers who will report these types of "hot" stores when they see them (as in Taesung's case).

Jim Patrick
 
additional details:

[root@localhost ~]# whois staffhobby.com
[Querying whois.internic.net]
[Redirected to whois.bizcn.com]
[Querying whois.bizcn.com]
[whois.bizcn.com]

The data in this whois database is provided to you for information
purposes only, that is, to assist you in obtaining information about or
related to a domain name registration record. We make this information
available "as is," and do not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a
whois query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful
purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1)
enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that stress or load
this whois database system providing you this information; or (2) allow,
enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited,
commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic
mail, or by telephone. The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or
other use of this data is expressly prohibited without prior written
consent from us. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.

Domain name: staffhobby.com

Registrant Contact:
hawkeye
yi zhang [email protected]
13391307085 fax: 64844605
shanghai
shanghai shanghai 200235
cn

Administrative Contact:
yi zhang [email protected]
13391307085 fax: 64844605
shanghai
shanghai shanghai 200235
cn

Technical Contact:
yi zhang [email protected]
13391307085 fax: 64844605
shanghai
shanghai shanghai 200235
cn

Billing Contact:
yi zhang [email protected]
13391307085 fax: 64844605
shanghai
shanghai shanghai 200235
cn

DNS:
ns1.4everdns.com
ns2.4everdns.com

Created: 2005-09-13
Expires: 2007-09-13
[root@localhost ~]# whois 21cn.com
[Querying whois.internic.net]
[Redirected to whois.OnlineNIC.com]
[Querying whois.OnlineNIC.com]
[whois.OnlineNIC.com]
The Data in OnlineNIC's WHOIS database is provided by OnlineNIC
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining
information about or related to a domain name registration record.
OnlineNIC does not guarantee its accuracy. By starting a WHOIS
query, you agree that you will use this Data only for lawful
purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this Data
to:
(1)allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited,commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail(spam).
(2)enable high volume,automated, electronic processes that apply
to OnlineNIC Inc.(or its systems).

OnlineNIC reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By starting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.


Registrant:
21cn corporation limited [email protected] +86.2085264358
21CN Corporation Limited
2F,NO.52 Liuyunwu street,Tiyu Rd,East,Tianhe,Guangzhou,China
Guangzhou,Guangdong,CN 510620


Domain Name:21cn.com
Record last updated at 2006-06-28 21:34:54
Record created on 1999/2/8
Record expired on 2011/2/8


Domain servers in listed order:
cdnns1.21cn.com cdnns2.21cn.com

Administrator:
Name-- liuchang
EMail-: ([email protected])
tel --: +86.2085264358
org: 21CN Corporation Limited
2F,NO.52 Liuyunwu street,Tiyu Rd,East,Tianhe,Guangzhou,China
Guangzhou,Guangdong,CN 510620

Technical Contactor:
Name-- 21CN Corporation Limited
EMail-: ([email protected])
tel --: +86.2085264358
org: 21CN Corporation Limited
2F,NO.52 Liuyunwu street,Tiyu Rd,East,Tianhe,Guangzhou,China
Guangzhou,Guangdong,CN 510620

Billing Contactor:
Name-- liuchang
EMail-: ([email protected])
tel --: +86.2085264358
org: 21CN Corporation Limited
2F,NO.52 Liuyunwu street,Tiyu Rd,East,Tianhe,Guangzhou,China
Guangzhou,Guangdong,CN 510620
 
Great work Gordy. Nice to know the name behind the crime.

Perhaps the ISP will take down the site - guess that's wishful thinking.
 
Don't expect any help from mainland China. There are certainly good people over there, but, their government turns a blind eye to counterfeiting. As long as we, the hobbyists, do everything we can to educate the consumer about these crooks, that's the best that can happen at this point.
 
Well, I think the first thing to consider is DO NOT patronize this site! Secondly, and being a graphic artist for 17 years, this is certainly in the realm of copyright infringement with the web site design. Taesung, I would send them a "cease and disist". At least maybe they will stop using such a blatant copy of your materials. Of course, I'm sure they are not subject to our "rules" from over there in China. It's just a shame.
That having been said, I'm sure this won't be the last of this type of activity. China is growing faster than any other nation on the globe. And their whole basis for this growth is entrepreneurship. All I can say is, make sure we make each other aware of any activities such as these so we can continue to avoid patronizing them and continue to support the legitimate business owners.

Jay H.
OKC
 
Thanks everyone for the support.
I just reported this crime to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
which is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).
Not sure what they can do, though...
Maybe I should call US Marine Corp to do some major damage control....... :)

Taesung
 
John- that tree? The one with money growing on it? Could ya clue the rest of us in as to where it is? Cuz I can't find it in Ohio....

(just a little joke- hope you don't mind).

I also have wondered as to where the market is for these knock offs.....
 
Good point. I grew up in Seoul, Korea so I have some
understanding of the miniature hobby in Asia.
Many figures from well-known companies are not available
in many parts in Asia. When they are, the prices are usually
not reallistic for many modelers. Now, this is a room for
counterfeiters to make some quick money. Some of you might
wonder why we, Alpine and others, would not have legit dealers
in China, etc. That's because no dealers would import expensive
items from abroad. Also many companies would avoid selling
to certain part of the world for fear of more counterfiets.
It's just a bad chain reaction for everyone. I have an exclusive
importor in S. Korea, and he has to share the market with the
counterfeit goods and compete with them. Not a happy situation!

TS
 
If you guys have a free minutes, please contact [email protected]
(the web hosting company) and report this criminal activity. Thank you again
for your support! :)

TS
 
Jim, sadly for all others, that tree only grows in the paradise of Southern New Jersey, politically ( outisde of Louisiana ) the most corrupt State in our beloved Union. We need that tree since our taxes are the highest in the known Universe.
Current taxes on the agenda for 2007:
Mileage tax for the wear and tear of our luxury, scenic highways.
Public Lighting Tax for those who walk, drive at night and use the glow of our yellow street lighting as a guide to where the might be.
And of course our famous proposed clean-air Fart Tax.

Taesung, thanks for the heads-up on the Asian scene. So the market is there and is strong and continually growing. Actually it's more of a revelation to us here in the West than a simple 'heads-up'.
 
Why can't they put them behind bars.
Yesterday the Italian's closed a factory in Milano. The chinese there where reproducing Versaci, Armani etc. handbags. They produce it in Italie so they can labeled it as MADE IN ITALIE.
Can you imagine how these guys producing the figures.
I hope someone can do something about it. I hope George is finding a reason or excuse for eleminating this practice .

marc
 
I appologize to anyone if I sounded like I was blaming everything to China.
It has nothing to do with anyone being Chinese, except the crook. He is the
one who is giving China's proud people a bad name. After all, the young man
who informed me about the crook was a Chinese modeler who explain what
was going on. He even compared legit Alpine figure and a counterfeit from
the crook on his personal blog (sadly, I didn't get his name... if you read this,
please contact me).

TS
 
I hope instantly that somebody can do something against that! This "Recast"-Problem occurs first in the Garagekit World, where now most of every produced figures are recasted and sold worldwide.

Maybe we all know about SOL, a company that has done some really cool own stuff (I have their SWAT Team in 1:32, great figures, perfect cast in resin). But they are although known as PHANTOM or ELFIN and thats the brands which do recast Garagekits, Girlie Kits, Monsters and Creatures from well known sculpters around the world And isn´t it a shame that firms like HORIZON and SCREAMIN´ must close their production because of such freaks? Paying high legalize duties to the big film firms and seeing their stuff being recasted by such crap isn´t very funny!!

So, we all must avoid that to have "our" firms for a long time on the market. I have seen even Verlindens Ruin Kits recasted in the SOL Catalogue!

Frank
 
Thanks to all for the information! I have sent my own message as well. I know eBay is a popular venue for illegitimate vendors; I am constantly reporting such 'pirates' to the eBay staff (they must imagine me as a 'Gladys Kravitz' type nosey neighbor who is constantly scanning the neighborhood for misdeeds :lol: ;for those in the younger generation, reference old tv episodes of "Bewitched") Right now I am trying to figure out if this currently listed item is a recast of a Warriors kit:

eBay Item

Any info would be helpful! Anyways, it is easy to report suspected pirated figures to the eBay staff, once you figure out the system:
-at the bottom of the page, click 'Report This Item';
-this brings up a new page with 3 windows: in the first, select 'Counterfeits and copyright violations: in the second window, select 'Potential trademark infringement'; and in the third, select 'Other replica or counterfeit items'.
-press 'Continue'
-in the new window, press 'Email Us'
-yet another window opens; press 'Send'

That's it! (Looks more complicated written out, than it actually is) Keep up the good fight, and maintain the hobby!
Bob
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Bob, that gentleman (the 'tongxinweile' ebay user) is just another alias of a very well known recaster.

There is an old thread about this *******, look here

He is used to recast almost everything. When his activity was pointed out on the above thread, I wrote some nice emails to eBay and Paypal. After that, Paypal banned his account so the ******* switched to the xt:Commerce platform to collect money.
The other nice guy behind the xt:Commerce platform just replied me that he does not care about how and for what their users uses his system, so go figure. Take a look at his ('tongxinweile') eBay store, is the recreation ground of recasts.
His web site (http://www.toy-in.com) is still there, not sure but I think he is from Taiwan. This is the data I got when looking on whois.net (already posted on the above thread):

Domain Name:toy-in.com

Registrant:
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
201101

Administrative Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Shanghai
CN
tel: 021 34151054
fax: 021 34151054
[email protected]

Technical Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Beijing
CN
tel: 34151054
fax: 34151054
[email protected]

Billing Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Beijing
CN
tel: 34151054
fax: 34151054
[email protected]

Registration Date: 2005-09-07
Update Date: 2006-02-22
Expiration Date: 2006-09-07

Primary DNS: ns1.DNSFAMILY.com 218.85.132.246
Secondary DNS: ns2.DNSFAMILY.com 218.107.216.80

Recasters are everywhere, but they are the exception here, while there (China, Taiwan, etc.) they are _the_rule_.

The only way to fight them is using the brute force, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. eBay will act slowly, but Paypal will ban those accounts in a hurry. To put down their web sites there are a lot of tools one can use, you need first to scan the web site with some appropiate tool to get an idea about how to act, my preferred is the Retina scanner.
 

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