Do we need to be worried about The Fly?

[enyawd72]

Since it's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney now owns all versions of The Fly, including the 1958 and 1986 films.

The new Mego figure is clearly based on the 1958 film, and the card art rather stupidly (if I'm being honest), uses a blurry image of Brundlefly on the card back.

If Disney sees this they aren't likely to be too happy about someone selling an unlicensed figure from one of their properties....especially with their current financial situation.

They would probably seek some form of compensation and/or damages. When the figure becomes available, I'm going to try and get it as quickly as possible in the event it suddenly becomes a liability and disappears.

[PNGwynne]

I don't know, it's not as near as close to infringement as their Frankentein monster. What are the rights to the Langelaan novella?

[hedrap]

The odds of someone from Disney licensing even knowing they own the Fly is less than 10%. It is bizarre they would use Brundlefly on the cardback. If they really wanted to make it a clean split all they had to do was put some type of cat characteristics on him as that's happens in the original novella but not in any film. They could have simply put the werewolf feet and one hand on and they're home free.

[enyawd72]

I don't know, it's not as near as close to infringement as their Frankentein monster. What are the rights to the Langelaan novella?

True, but Universal isn't nearly as litigious as Disney. They are the people that shut down daycare centers. LOL

[thunderbolt]

I am surprised the didn't get a call from Universal on that Frankenstein. The Fly is pretty shady copyright wise too.

[toyhunter1970]

we do need to be worried Disney controlling everything is not a good thing

[Werewolf]

I am surprised the didn't get a call from Universal on that Frankenstein.

I was surprised that flew under the radar.

[hedrap]

I am surprised the didn't get a call from Universal on that Frankenstein. The Fly is pretty shady copyright wise too.

The pic they used was a stock photo, so anybody can license it. They cropped it so the neck bolts weren't visible and made it B/W, which are elements to Universal's trademark. I think they would have had a problem if the Karloff estate hadn't signed control over to Uni.

[Brown Bear]

I don’t think this is anything “we” need to concern ourselves with. I’m sure Mego is smart enuf to know what they’re doing.

[sprytel]

The new Mego figure is clearly based on the 1958 film, and the card art rather stupidly (if I'm being honest), uses a blurry image of Brundlefly on the card back.

Does it? Or does it use a close up, blurry image of an actual fly? I’d guess the latter.

But by all means... buy it now before Disney yanks it off the shelves! It could become the rarest Mego ever!

[enyawd72]

Does it? Or does it use a close up, blurry image of an actual fly? I’d guess the latter.

But by all means... buy it now before Disney yanks it off the shelves! It could become the rarest Mego ever!

LOL...no, they def used a pic of Brundlefly.
And Disney is most definitely aware they own The Fly. They released a Blu-ray box set nine months after acquiring the rights to it.

[sprytel]

Yes, I can see what you mean now. It looks like the packaging changed. I was going off this image:

fly.jpg

I think that was the packaging shown at Toyfair. I wonder why they changed the packaging?

[PNGwynne]

Didn't they change Hyde's packaging as well?

[Brown Bear]

Didn't they change Hyde's packaging as well?

The card art for Hyde has changed from what was shown at Toy Fair, yes.

[hedrap]

LOL...no, they def used a pic of Brundlefly.
And Disney is most definitely aware they own The Fly. They released a Blu-ray box set nine months after acquiring the rights to it.

The one from Shout Factory? Disney had nada to do with it.

Does someone at Disney know it's an acquired property? Yeah. Most likely, they have a fox licensing division within another one. That doesn't mean anyone is scouring the web or stores for unauthorized card art.