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You overestimate what MAS could legally do. BTP is in a different country with different copyright laws. Also, it's a bit complex in dealing with IP issues for stuff like this. Lastly, this is a small industry, it's likely MAS isn't a big company that can throw around lawyers, or lawyers overseas.

What's more, I see no significant improvements or difference between the blatant copy and the original.

In stuff like say, Android phones copying iPhones, the android phones always have significant differences in operation and usability. In this case, there's no reason to choose one or the other besides price.

I'd have more respect for BTP if they made improvements to the design, or did things the original didn't do at all.

But so far, all I'm seeing is that BTP blatantly copied, and probably infringed on some level of IP, all because they knew they could get away with it.

I guess it is just a matter of time when BTP release their own unique and original building.



-"Hello BTP fans, I am very excited because now we are going to release a new original piece form the minds of our talented artists. Behold!"



-"The brand new BTP Imperial building! Something never seen before in any battlefield, a must-have piece of uniqueness quality and top notch design. AnythiNg else from any humble Polish company it's just PATHETIC!!"

Vertrucio wrote:But so far, all I'm seeing is that BTP blatantly copied, and probably infringed on some level of IP, all because they knew they could get away with it.

You're assuming facts not in evidence. We don't know that BTP has entered into this business with any such intent. Has anyone even asked them for a comment? Or are you content at keelhauling Shawn and his business on flimsy supposition? I for one need grounds more relative than this.

For a legal case, I'd need more grounds. For a forum post? Not really.

And just take a look at the products, and the fact that they had to post a video.

Don't bother defending those who don't need defending here, sorry, it doesn't impress anyone.

GW knock offs or add-ons, for as much as I like the variety it adds, I don't feel any sympathy for them when they get sued when they don't bother to take the time to make their products different enough. Also, most of the time people do it because they know they can get away with it, and it makes them money.

And let's set aside legalities and talk about common decency. MAS isn't some giant corporate entity, they're a small European studio that produces some really nice things for our hobby. What if you had created some awesome miniature, part of a future line of miniatures that you think you could sell and turn into a great game for everyone. Then, after releasing your first miniature, within a week someone releases a glut of blatant copies, cutting into the money you could use to further the line. How would you feel? Don't you think it's a at least a little sleazy? Especially when you can look upon the copy and see nothing that differentiates between your product and his, besides maybe shoddier design and labor.

I will not be contacting BTP since I have no dog in this race and since my credibility on this site is nearly nonexistent to begin with.

As for your "it doesn't impress anyone", I'm sorry to say, that makes no sense whatsoever to me. Who am I trying to win favor from in your bizarre imaginings? I'm not even defending Blue Table Painting. I am merely pointing out the inconsistency and spurious reasoning of other posters. On a personal level, I couldn't care less about some Yankee painting studio.

I´m agree with Vertrucio.
But it's just common sense.

BTP seems like a very proffesional company, really popular, with deep commercial channels they reach lots of american gamers, good for them.
But they are copying MAS catwalks.
BTP is an american company that will sell more catwalks in the USA than MAS could sell in their wildest dreams.
But they are copying MAS catwalks.
BTP has artists that could make a lot of origjnal terrain pieces, or just paint MAS terrain pieces.
But they are copying MAS catwalks.

BTP has artists that could make a lot of origjnal terrain pieces, or just paint MAS terrain pieces.
But they are copying MAS catwalks.

This is what I find most curious.
They are perfectly entitled to make a catwalk but are surely clever enough to come up with something distinctive.

I suggest pestering them with messages to the effect of stating an intent to boycott. One would get a reaction out of them, I'm sure. Past that, I feel this is all hand-wringing. As mentioned, the case is very hard to prove to a legal standard and even more impossible to receive any kind of restitution from, so if one is outraged about the purported copyright violation, the kind of consumer action I mentioned above is one's only way to make the culprits suffer.

Or we can all argue about it all for another sixteen pages.

Internet boycotts don't work.

Just don't boy, and encourage friends not to buy.

That said, BTP can actually go out and make something that's pretty similar to the MAS system, but it doesn't take much to give it their own flair beyond randomizing the pattern on the floor grates, which is kind of a chump way of differentiating their product.

Try having a more open system for side rails, with multiple types of rails in a pack so you can have more variation. Perhaps side walls that fully block line of sight. So many of these catwalk systems have open and exposed sides that are as much a deathtrap to use since the miniature elevates itself so more things can see it, but won't be getting any cover along the way.

If they did that, I wouldn't have any issues when them copying the idea, because honestly, there isn't much of an idea to copy.

Everyone kind of knows the concept of scifi catwalks, we've seen them on all the movies and TV shows, we have an idea of how they should look. MAS wasn't all that original in creating more scifi catwalks, just ones in MDF, but one look at what they put on market shows a really good artistic sense about how they did it.

Reap what you sow MAS.
How long have they and for that matter all the other Polish companies generated profit from GW's IP? Some of their scenic bases even incorporate parts from GW kits.

Hekal Xul wrote:Some of their scenic bases even incorporate parts from GW kits.

Please back up your allegations with good examples.

Here you go Poipo:
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/skulls-base-ellipse-120mm-p-534.html

You're not helping Chibi.

It's a bit rum for the unmentionables to be so excited about their 'new original' walkways, sounds familiar, lol. Suffice to say I will be picking up the MAS ones because they will definitely fit the rest of their infinity styled gear. I'm just hoping Maestrom games gets some in so that I can get my sticky fingers on it to see how much I need to get to fill out a board.

yeah,

BobbaFett wrote:-"Hello BTP fans, I am very excited because now we are going to release a new original piece form the minds of our talented artists. Behold!"

-"The brand new BTP Imperial building! Something never seen before in any battlefield..."

very funny, but you forgots the skulls...

PAnic...

New set of desert bases:

Desert Bases, Round 25mm (5 for 4.92€)
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/desert-bases-round-25mm-p-591.html


Desert Bases, Round 40mm (2for 4.92€)
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/desert-bases-round-40mm-p-592.html


Desert Bases, Round 60mm (1 for 7.38€)
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/desert-bases-round-60mm-p-593.html


Desert Bases, Ellipse 120mm (1 for 14.76€)
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/desert-bases-ellipse-120mm-p-594.html


And here a Victorian stairway, buildings and a car they are working on. Currently they work on reducing the cost. The brick walls are resin bricks and wood frame.





Currently all wood lasering machines work hard to fill all the new orders, maybe they will buy an additional machine in the future to meet the higher demand. Until then new wood releases have to wait a bit.

Really liking the victorian stuff, MicroArt are really getting to grips in a good way with the wood lasering.

Very tempted as well by the sand bases, the dune effect is very convincing.

Oh my warmachine

Those look great. Will be much too expensive for me to fill a 4x4 board with though judging by the Infinity house price.

Those sand bases are really, really nice. Like, I want to rebase my Tyranids on them nice.

See that screams malifaux over warmachine to me.

Vitruvian XVII wrote:See that screams malifaux over warmachine to me.

I think you could push it either way depending on how you accessorize it. Take out the rocket cars (?) and add some gears and that would be all Warmachine.

Those desert bases are exactly what I've been wanting for my tyranid army. Woot!

Finally round Dark Temple bases (e.g. for Dark Eldar):

Dark Temple Bases, Round 25mm (5 for 4.92 €):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/dark-temple-bases-round-25mm-p-598.html


Dark Temple Bases, Flying 30mm (3 for 4.92 €):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/dark-temple-bases-flying-30mm-p-599.html


Dark Temple Bases, Flying 60mm (1 for 4.92€):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/dark-temple-bases-flying-60mm-p-600.html

Objective Marker "Monolith" (5 for 6.15 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/objective-marker-monolith-p-612.html


Marker "Acceleration" (5 for 4.92 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/marker-acceleration-p-611.html


Objective Marker "Dragon" #1 (5 for 4.92 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/objective-marker-dragon-p-610.html


Tokens "-1/-1" Orange (10 for 4.92 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/tokens-11-orange-10-p-609.html


Tokens "+1/+1" Orange (10 for 4.92 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/tokens-11-orange-10-p-608.html


Green Arrow (5 for 3.69 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/green-arrow-p-607.html


Movement Tray Ruins 3x2 40x40mm (9.84 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/movement-tray-ruins-3x2-40x40mm-p-606.html


Movement Tray Shale 3x2 40x40mm (9.84 Euro):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/movement-tray-shale-3x2-40x40mm-p-605.html


Fantasy Terrain Window #1 (6.15 Euro, not including glass):
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/fantasy-terrain-window-p-604.html

I like those movement trays... but me personally I like to have the bordery part go all the way around the back of the tray too

I'd love to see someone do custom size trays, but with a metal bottom for fun with magnets

Kroothawk wrote:New set of desert bases:

Desert Bases, Round 25mm (5 for 4.92€)
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/desert-bases-round-25mm-p-591.html

Wow...decorative bases you can actually plant your models feet to!

Hah! +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters? Those are actually rather awesome inclusions for the MtG players. Count me in!

And -1 counters are a nice addition to 40k, now that scarabs remove armor value

Those windows are pretty awesome. I'd love to see some that are a bit more archy, a bit less crossy.