Square Enix has an Army of Lawyers against Final Fantasy Replica Swords

S

Strubes

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/square-enix-lawyers-on-guard-against-final-fantasy-replica-sword/

As we discovered during our trip to Japan's Square Enix store last year, the many worlds of Final Fantasy are pockmarked by some surprisingly deep merchandise mines. No matter what the item -- t-shirts, mugs, jewelery, clothing, action figures or spoons -- chances are a tenuous link can be established between it and your favorite spiky-haired moper. Replicas of the many extravagant and frequently weapons are fine too, just as long as they're approved by Square Enix.

The company today announced a federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California against "alleged infringers of Square Enix's intellectual property." Specifically, said infringers include "at least" four wholesalers of unlicensed sword replicas based on four video games and a CG movie (likely Advent Children) within the Final Fantasy franchise. "While Square Enix appreciates the enthusiasm of its fans, and values its relationship with
them," said Square Enix General Counsel Yasuhiko Hasegawa, "it is also obligated to protect its intellectual property rights or risk weakening or losing the very rights that enable the company to continue to provide its fans with an exciting entertainment experience."

The lawsuit has its swordid (OOF!) origins in the recent seizure of a crate full of "counterfeit" replica blades by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol. Following an investigation, Square Enix located the primary wholesalers and retailers of these "unauthorized products in the United States." We hope this turn of events will serve as a lesson to all of you looking to sell real things based on fake things.
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They should just license them or make their own swords then, because there's still going to be a market for them no matter what Square Enix does.
 
Yeah, I wonder how many "cease and desist" letters Square sent to these wholesalers, if any, before slapping down a lawsuit. It would seem a logical course of action to try and cash in on what is apparently a lucrative market than to simply shut it down.

Maybe Square is partners with some official sword making company though, I can't seem them not cashing in on... whatever it is Cloud wields.
 
I don't think they make full-size ones. Although, holy crap if they did. Full-size on some of those things would be totally awful.
 
I have seen full-sized replicas somewhere... If I can find it I'll post the link...


Edit:

Here's a place... http://www.swords24.eu/list/3/82/

and off topic, but I found this in my search O___O luv... http://cgi.ebay.com/Halo-2-3-Master-Chief-Arbiter-Elite-Energy-Sword_W0QQitemZ110223592566QQihZ001QQcategoryZ52514QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
 
Joyling said:
I don't think they make full-size ones. Although, holy crap if they did. Full-size on some of those things would be totally awful.
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Yep. It's the big'uns. I want the blue sword that Tidus has in FFX. That would look wicked cool above the fireplace mantel. :rockin
 
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