More Licensing issues with Airsoft, Lawsuits, or worse, to come?

Madbull just released this out to the Airsoft Community
Nov 20th 2010

( Bold is my addition)

Dear Airsoft players and manufacturers,
We are proud to announce that Madbull Airsoft have been granted official licensing from Troy Industries, PRI (Precision Reflex Inc.), Surefire Suppressors, Lancer Systems, Reset Inc. (U.S. Army future soldier systems), KelTec, and Viking Tactics (U.S. Retired Delta Force). Many more are currently in the works too!
Madbull Airsoft will also begin to work with more than 20 US Firearm companies for “Operation Copycat” an international operation to combat all unauthorized copies from Asia. This large scale operation will be run by several law firms, Customs Agencies, and local law enforcement.
Most unauthorized copies are 1:1 scale which can be easily applied to a real firearm. This poses a problem because whereas they are 100% visual copies they are not constructed by the same materials and do not possess the same build quality. This is a huge risk to any end user since it’s highly probable that the copy will malfunction and cause serious damage to both the weapon and user. Many of these firearm companies receive damaged returns which turn out to be an unauthorized copy that has failed but bare all the correct trademarks but were manufactured in Asia. Note that all these copies were imported illegally and that any product baring unauthorized trademarks or trade dress is against the law.
But it’s not all bad news; some good news is that a few Asian manufacturers have given us their full cooperation with our efforts. A notable mention would be, Tokyo Marui, a highly reputable company.
We at Madbull highly encourage other airsoft manufacturers and players to support legal, authorized, and officially licensed products. This is a win-win for all; licensors (who respectively pay to use trademarks), real steel manufacturers (for all their hard work and countless hours developing these products), and players who get to enjoy 1:1 scaled airsoft only authorized replicas. All the royalties paid is motivation for real firearm companies to continue to create more great and exciting products. This benefits both the real gun industry along with the airsoft industry and ultimately you the airsoft player.
Any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact our license department: info@isgk.org
Sincerely,
Madbull Airsoft

Sounds to me like if you are waiting for a shipment from Asia of some "Grey Markets" parts, the chance of them getting here has just gone way down.

I need to put some more thought into this subject before I jump in with a rant.

While I do totally agree with Licensing, and have even worked with people in that area for a company,

(not airsoft), I can also see the other side of this issue.

I had a very prophetic conversation with a long time airsoft journalist at the 2010 SHOT show.

My stance was that all of us in the industry had to become more professional and convey a better image.

I had met many airsofters that week that projected the "skateboarder" persona 

and I thought it was detrimental if we ever wanted to be "taken seriously"

( In my defense, I am old and started this fight in 1986, 

long before 99% of the people in airsoft now were born).

His stance was that we had to keep it more underground, that if more of the "suits" found out about us, it would ruin airsoft.

Looking back today, I think he was right.

Airsoft is growing up, the days of enthusiasts opening companies to sell to like minded players are ending.

MBA are running airsoft companies now, 

with P&L statements and some with even shareholders to answer to.

I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that five years from today 

( if the world is here after Dec 23 2012, that is)

Airsoft as we know it will not be airsoft as we know it now.

Systemic change comes to every industry, it has to if it is to survive.

Are we finally seeing airsoft grow up?

Or did Madbull just jump the shark.

Till Tomorrow,

Stay Thirsty my friends.

Cyergun to release a FN Herstal’s FNP9-17

I like to see new guns hit the market, found this tidbit on a design blog

http://www.pddnet.com/news-speeding-up-airsoft-gun-development-111810/

Don't know if it will be spring or gas, but hey, it's not a 1911

Pic of real steel FN, not the airsoft one


Looks like cybergun is jumping all over that new agreement with FN

I am looking forward to the "new" Red Dawn Movie

Although I have my doubts that it can be anywhere

 as great as the 1st one

Now even the Chinese want me, it is so nice to be wanted!

I have a review coming on the "Jed" 45 single action army by Marushin.

Stay tuned. 

This, I like

Just a quick insert of this YouTube vid.

I love obscure and odd guns, the stranger the better for my taste.

That someone would take the time to mod a airsoft gun into a bizarre pistol like this is just great,

being as there were only 100 ever made in real steel.

My hat is off to this craftsman, kudos sir.

 

This was a Youtube Vid on the "Mars Automatic pistol" airsoft pistol,

Sadly, Youtube has decided to not allow the share. 

Wait, I found it again!

Maybe, when they sue airsoft so much everyone quits,

We will be down to using this

http://www.suck.uk.com/product.php?rangeID=148&catID=7

God, I hope not, but kinnda cool none the less.

Update on H& Kocks lawsuits against Airsoft

 I told you I would try and keep you up to date on the on going lawsuits by H & Kock

This is one that I have found an Update on, HK vs Hobbytron

Looks like Hobbytron did lose $51,000 or so,

but the judgment was set aside do to faulty service of summons.

http://www.ai.org/judiciary/opinions/pdf/09071001mpb.pdf 

On the other lawsuits, this is the latest info I could find

http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=60337

http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit-related-cases.asp?ID=52759

 

 

 

Looks like they are still going forward, as far as I can tell.

This is an update to this old post of mine.

http://noairsoftforoldmen.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-sad-that-this-is-way-it-has-to-be.html

As I said in the last post, I hate that this is going on,

I understand why they are doing it, but still hate it is happening. 

Why can't we all just get along!!!!!!!!

Beat down Boogie Redux

Just a brief update on my time spent on set last weekend with the crew 

filming part 3/4 of their smash youtube hit.

I got to show off some new lighting and a gun or two,

but the best part was the chance to be an extra in the next episode!

 Wish they had made me wear a balaclava, but at least I look ugly enough to be a SWAT cop!

And yes my finger is on the trigger, that is because I was shooting someone!

 I was running a Ares FNC for the 1st part of the day, 

had to switch to my X Caliber Tactical built custom Patriot for the afternoon

as I am still sporting a few broken ribs from my encounter with a bridge a few weeks back.

Yes, that is a C mag, come on, it's a movie

 

 

Wish you could see a reflection of "Ghost" in my heads up

I did have him "dead to rights"

I had a hell of a great time, I have never worked with a film crew that were anywhere near as friendly

or as accommodating as these guys were to their bit players.

Super crew and everyone there was professional and nice.

This is coming from a cranky old guy that usually bitches about everything, 

so for me this is high praise.

They have some editing and effects work to do in post , 

Ep 3 should be out in a month or so, 

please check it out.

Till tomorrow,

Stay Thirsty my Friends

Sorry Guys,,,,,

When I was trying to leave Columbus OH on Thursday morning, some one 

(they drove off) 

hit me from behind 

and drove me into a bridge abutment at 60 MPH.

 I got some what busted up, but my poor baby F-150 became a F-75 1/2 real quick.

As I fractured  my right wrist from the airbag deploying, I have to type left handed. 

That being said, I wont be posting much for a little while,

I did find some cool stuff that I will be testing and visited the "Airsoft Smith" 

which was a great store.

Reviews in a little while. 

Until then,

Stay Thirsty my Friends.

Just got a new Enchanter mobile
And here she is

Even has a old man step on the tailgate!

 Rip 2006-Sept2010

HELP Does anyone know how to cancel a bid on eBay?

I put in a bid for a "Mickey Mouse Outfit" and now it seems I'm only six minutes away from owning Obama and his entire Cabinet.

For some reason, all these Pic's seemed to go together!

I have lost a week!

Sorry Guys,

I promised some pic's and more testing on the Winchester, 

but life got in the way.

Too much real work, not enough play time, makes Tim a dull boy.

I found out yesterday that the person that could be considered the "Father" of Airsoft in the US was killed in a plane crash December of last year.

 

Larry Littlefield had the 1st true catalog of paintball guns and Airsoft back in the halcyon days of 1986.

Larry was a true Airsoft buff, I bought a TM Walther MPK from him and after two phone conversations,

 I was heading to SHOT Show in New Orleans to show off Airsoft for the 1st time to the general public.

 

I then moved to the Panhandle of FL to work many a late night getting out catalog #2 

( this is pre desktop publishing days!)

We tested guns from sunup till sundown on a airfield for weeks so that the catalog would have accurate specs in it for distance,

 FPS and accuracy.

 

( Because Larry was the "Father", I guess I was the "uncle" of Airsoft, you know, the one that bomb's into town once a year in the Cadillac convertible, takes you out bar hopping and gets you into trouble, you know, the fun one) 

 

I look back now at those days with fond memories,

 as we all look back and forget the stuff that sucked.

(First gen apple crashes that took out the data base after 3 days of entering data, 

working 16 hrs a day to get inventory received, pre bar code)

 

I saw were Larry was playing in airsoft games, at 60, the man was a true believer.

Command Post will always be a high point in my work history , I left there to move on to real steel jobs,

but I can still say,

" Back in my day son, 
we had to cock our airsoft guns, 
you kids got it easy"

 

I will try and get the catalog scanned in soon, it should bring back some flashbacks for you older guys 

.

Now, screw it, let laugh

A married couple is driving along a highway doing a steady 60 miles per hour. The wife is behind the wheel. Her husband suddenly looks across at her and speaks in a clear voice. 'I know we've been married for twenty years, but I want a divorce.'



The wife says nothing, Keeps looking at the road ahead but slowly increases her speed to 65 mph. The husband speaks again. 'I don't want you to try and talk me out of it,' He says, 'because I've been having an affair with your best friend, And she's a far better lover than you are.'

Again the wife stays quiet, But grips the steering wheel more tightly and slowly increases the speed to 75 He pushes his luck. 'I want the house,' he says insistently...

Up to 80. 'I want the car, too,' he continues, and at 85 mph he says: 'And, I'll have the bank accounts, all the credit cards and the boat!'

The car slowly starts veering towards a massive concrete bridge. This makes him nervous, so he asks her, 'Isn't there anything you want?'

The wife at last replies in a quiet and controlled voice.
'No, I've got everything I need,' she says.
'Oh, really,' he inquires, 'so what have you got?'



Just before they slam into the wall at 85 mph,the wife turns to him and smiles. 'The airbag.' 

 

 

A young cowboy from Wyoming goes off to college. Half way through the semester, he has foolishly squandered all his money, so he calls home. "Dad," he says, "You won't believe what modern education is developing! They actually have a program here in Laramie that will teach our dog, Ol' Blue, how to talk!" "That's amazing," his Dad says. "How do I get Ol' Blue in that program?" "Just send him down here with $1,000," the young cowboy says. "I'll get him in the course." So, his father sends the dog and $1,000. About two-thirds of the way through the semester, the money again runs out. The boy calls home. "So how's Ol' Blue doing son?" his father asks. "Awesome, Dad, he's talking up a storm," he says, "but you just won't believe this - they've had such good results they have started to teach the animals how to read!" "Read!?" says his father, "No kidding! How do we get Blue in that program?" "Just send $2,500, and I'll get him in the class." The money promptly arrives. But our cowboy has a problem. At the end of the year, his father will find out the dog can neither talk, nor read. So he shoots the dog. When he arrives home at the end of the year, his father is all excited. "Where's Ol' Blue? I just can't wait to see him read something and talk!" "Dad," the boy says, "I have some grim news. Yesterday morning, just before we left to drive home, Ol' Blue was in the living room, kicked back in the recliner, reading the Wall Street Journal, like he usually does. Then he turned to me and asked, "So, is your daddy still messing around with that little redhead who lives down the street?" The father exclaimed, "I hope you shot that rotten liar before he talks to your Mother!" "I sure did, Dad!" "That's my boy!" The kid went on to law school, and now serves in Washington D.C. as a Congressman     The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it.   The next day, the kids came back and, one by one, began to tell their stories. There were all the regular types of stuff: spilled milk and pennies saved. But then the teacher realized, much to her dismay, that only Janie was left. “Janie, do you have a story to share?' ''Yes ma'am. My daddy told me a story about my Mommy. She was a Marine pilot in Desert Storm, and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory, and all She had was a flask of whiskey, a pistol, and a survival knife. She drank the whiskey on the way down so the bottle wouldn't Break, and then her parachute landed her right in the middle of 20 Iraqi troops. She shot 15 of them with the pistol, until she ran out of bullets, Killed four more with the knife, till the blade broke, And then she killed the last Iraqi with her bare hands.   ''Good Heavens,' said the horrified teacher. 'What did your Daddy tell you was the moral to this horrible story?  "Stay away from Mommy when she's been drinking."

 

Two great white sharks,  swimming in the ocean, spied survivors of a sunken ship.

"Follow  me, son." the father shark said to the son shark and they swam to the  mass of people.
"First we swim around them a few times with  just the tip of our fins showing." And they did.
"Well  done, son! Now we swim around them a few more times with all of  our fins showing." And they did.
 "Now we eat everybody."  And they did.
When they were both gorged, the son asked,  "Dad, why didn't we just eat them all at first?
 Why did  we swim around and around them?
 His wise father  replied,

 "Because they taste better without the shit  inside!"

 

 

A Little 10-year-old girl was walking home, alone, from school one day,
 when a big man on a black motorcycle pulls up beside her. After
 following along for a while, turns to her and asks, "Hey there little
 girl, do you want to go for a ride?"
 "NO!" says the little girl as she keeps on walking.
 The motorcyclist again pulls up beside her and asks, "Hey little girl,
 I will give you $10 if you hop on the back."
 "NO!" says the little girl as she hurries down the street.
 The motorcyclist pulls up beside the little girl again and says, "Okay
 kid, my last offer! I'll give you 20 Bucks" and a Big Bag of Candy if
 you will just hop on the back of my bike and we will go for a ride."
 Finally, the little girl stops and turns towards him and Screams Out...
 "Look Dad" "You’re the one who bought the Honda instead of the Harley
 "YOU RIDE IT!" 

 

Remember if your job sucks, 

at least you don't have this guys

Till Tomorrow,

Stay Thirsty my Friends