Hello,
I would like to thank EVERYONE for their overwhelming support.
I have an update for you:
I have since been contacted by Didier Goujon ("Must Have Models"). He admits to having sold the illegal copies (how could he deny it? ..see the picture on my original post with the burgundy background showing the evidence on my kitchen table: his invoice, and the shipping envelope with his had written return address, and the PayPal transaction to his account). However he blames an individual named Marc Guerrero for the castings. Not surprising, Marc has contacted Eric (who alerted me) and claims he is innocent and puts it all on Didier. I guess like all partners in a crime, they turn on each other and point the fingers at each other when confronted with the evidence =). So, at this point I do not know who to believe as far as the casting goes. However, I do know for certain that Didier ("Must Have Models") sold them.
Didier claims he did not know they were pirated copies. But, I seriously question that. Didier and Marc have done business together in the past. Surely Didier knows Marc's ways and knows who/what he is. Marc is not an unknown to Didier. Funny, but I have received many, many emails - some from vendors and manufacturers that were at the same show. Some said things like: "...they are known re-casters..." one said: "...yeah, I was warned about them...never do business with them..." notice the emails say "they" and "them". It seems as though they are lumped together and have a connection - it seems to be "well known". So I ask how can Didier not know?. I asked him:
>>"So, let me see if I understand this: You stand one meter away from him all weekend at the show and you hear him tell customers he is the sculptor (as he told Eric who alerted me), they are his own figures he is the producer, etc. . And, you do not say: WOW, Marc all this time, I did not know you could sculpt so well, getting the body proportions and pose just right ...my friend... And you captured the portrait of Voss and Bishop just right. You are a world class sculptor ..my friend... And, the painting? Wow, did you paint those? Your painting is amazing...my friend... Where are the painted pieces? Are they in a curio cabinet in your house? Why do you not bring them to shows to advertise? I would love to see them. ...and those photos, I did not know you are such an accomplished photographer too ...my friend. And you do not ask: wow, how can a modeler get such a fantastic result as in the picture from these garbage castings I see in this plain plastic bag?? And, speaking of the plain bag... you do not ask him: Marc why is your company name not on the plain plastic bag. Where is your company logo, do you not want to advertise? So, you spend an entire weekend one meter away from him, chatting, drinking coffee, and not ask anything. You do not have to ask because YOU already know the answer- because you know him and his ways and that he is (as others have said) "...a known re-caster..." and you are part of the project.">>
For that I got no response.
Afterwards, I got a second email from Didier with a picture. The picture is that of Marc Guerrero at a trade stand at yet another show a few weeks later. Didier says: "see, look, here is a picture of Marc Guerrero selling your figurines at "Besancon" and I am not present". So, Didier now throws Marc under the bus?!?
In the meantime I have been contacted by the organizer of the BRON show. In the email it says they will take action and ban them from future shows. That's good. That is a step in the right direction. But the email goes on to say: "Being strongly solicited during the two days that the exhibition lasts, I see very little what is on the tables. I had a quick look at these figurines, which I knew to have seen in other exhibitions, but I thought it was originals considering the presentation."
Two things here: First it is disturbing that it has ben seen before at other shows - meaning it has been going on for some time. And second, the "presentation". Does no one see or recognize the warning signs of illegal copies: plain bag, no company name, no company logo, different colors of resin, etc. How can no one notice this? Or, worse yet, it is recognized and people stand idle and turn a blind eye? I could understand if someone is new to the hobby and attending a show for the first time - they may not know. But, there are enough of us that are knowledgeable that SHOULD recognize it.
I am not the only one being pirated. Remember, there were also figures from KellerKind on the table too.
I appeal to all on these boards. ...customers/consumers, fellow legitimate vendors, fellow manufacturers - we all make the rounds and attend multiple shows to peddle our goods. We know what each other does/makes. We know the warning signs: plain plastic bags, no company name, no company logo, no reference to a business website, no business card - in effect no "trail". PLEASE, everyone be more observant and more diligent and if you see something fishy please bring it to the show chairman if you see it. I think if we all work together and look out for each other we can make a big dent in piracy.
Thank you again, EVRYONE, for your support.
regards,
Paul
