Dollzone Originality - Discuss it here.

I think Mabbit means that it makes sense if the arm is copied from two different dolls, since the parts don't fit together properly and it doesn't make sense to sculpt a doll that doesn't fit togther right. Like, they took the upper arm from one doll and the forearm from another doll, so it wouldn't fit. Hope that explains O_o

Also, that's a DZ doll arm if that's what you were asking LOL I'm a bit out of it ^^;;

 

Thank you Kasviel for pointing out those documents at the Dollzone site. Hmm, it looks like a letter/announcement from Dollzone's lawyer. I believe the law firm's name and contact info is in the letterhead. They are saying that 1. Dollzone's product is not infriging on another's patent; 2. Dollzone have filed for patents in China (on their dolls), and others can't use those patents without Dollzone's agreement; 3. This lawyer, at Dollzone's request, will go after people who are wrongfully accusing Dollzone of crimes.

That's my impression of that letter. I know there's a lot more info than just that. Please feel free to correct me if there are mistakes with my translation. Are lawyers allowed to make those statements? I mean, how much authority do their statements have? Maybe someone could give a more complete translation of this letter so we could know more.

 

Just food for thought:

If Foreverdoll came back but made original sculpts, I can bet damn well they would _not_ be well received on these boards. Why? Because they so blantantly copied before.

Thus, why should Dollzone automatically be redeemed when they have a near solid past of copying other artists' work?

I don't trust Dollzone. They do what con-artists do. Make a mistake at the beginning, such as copying, then gain your trust by making original molds. Then once they think they have enough support, they begin copying again to make more money.

Honestly, if Dollzone dolls costs just as much as other dolls, I don't think there would be such a dispute.

Also, they were made of Polystone when they were first made, and it was stated by the distributors. Sure, it's cheaper, but I don't think it's the same. My friend who is a very talented modder and I have been talking on this subject, and he'll be posting later. Honestly, the modifications between the DZ body and the Volks one are very easy. If I had the money, I would buy a Yukinojo body and give it to my friend, and he would be able to make it look exactly like the DZ one, garunteed.

 

I mean.. which mold was that taken from?

 

Gah. This whole thing infuriates me.

There are so many things to consider. There are those that say, "They copied in the past, so who should trust them now?" There are those that reply with, "But we don't know those were copies!" Photographic 'evidence', if that's what you want to call it, can only go so far.
If people don't want to believe, no matter what happens, they won't. Those of you who believe that DZ can do no harm, and didn't copy then, and aren't copying now, and won't copy in the future, think about this: What happens if Volks' lawsuit is refused? You'll say, "Ha! We told you so." But if the lawsuit is won, then you'll say, "Courts are wrong oftentimes," and quote the many trials where innocent men are imprisoned. (It's a bad analogy.)

What I'm saying is this: short of the photos themselves, nothing here is going to change anyone's mind. And frankly, I'm shocked that this hasn't turned into a Burning Pile of Poo from rageful DZ-supporters and haters alike.

(For what it's worth, I would never buy anything from them period. Ever. For a myriad of reasons. And my good friend has no problem with their 'copying'. But still, I'm surprised, and sad, by the reaction that many people have to this.)

 

DZ image from their site, F-28 from Yahoo!Japan auction. This head has been out since last year, plenty of time to copy, the fact that he's unpopular would make him less likely to be recognised as a Volks head. Not saying they did copy, but the similarities are there.

 

That DZ looks more like a CP Moon too me

 

The lips on the two are nearly identical, look how DZ avoided painting the whole bottom lip to give the illusion that it's smaller..if it was painted it'd completely match F-28.

 

The only thing I see in common are the lips. The rest of the features do not look similar to me.

 

The only similarities I see are between the two sculpts' lips. They do have the same mouth, no doubt about that. But the DZ doll has narrower eyes, a more angular jaw, and a thinner bridge on the nose. The overall shape of the face seems longer, though that could just be an illusion of the jawline.

 

I don't see it at all really. Althogh the same can be said about Volks and CP...

 

A lot of dolls have simmiler features. volks F-28, Soom Namu, JP Geis.

One Iplehouse boy look very much like an Unoss.

 

Yes, so basically with the logic given, these companies should be sued as well.

 

This is, I think, a lot of what people are arguing about. From what has happened the last few times this was brought up, people say, "Ah, DZ copied!" ad everyone seems to take this as fair-play to draw random and usually unsubstantiated connections between dolls. I remember it got out of hand and then people were claiming all dolls were copies, etck.
There are ways to copy a doll's head to make it still look different. Good modders can do this. But... to draw all conclusions is crazy.

(I see similarity in the eyeshape, but the angles are not good.)

 

I brought it up because he has very typical Volks lips, many of Mikey's heads have the same lip style..very prominent round bottom lip with a thin Cupid's bow upper lip.

 

I see what you mean, but the angle is not good for a true comparison, unfortunately. But I do understand.

 

Eh. I'm not seeing the resemblance anywhere except, *faintly*, in the mouth. In fact, I rather prefer the DZ one over the Volks on, if I'm allowed to say that.

edit: By the way, Usagi. Are those your pics?

 

You're allowed to say what you want. It's opinion, all of it. Until we know for certain what is copy and what is original, opinion is all we have.

 

As a Hong Kong raised girl living in US, I have to defend Hong Kong and the greater "China" because people have many on-going issues related to copyrights and patent laws in Asia. Hong Kong, despite whatever the critics claim, is working her very best to solve this copyright issues, argubly the most hardworking place within China mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Custom officers squashed illegal goods every single day. However, Sellers take advantage of Hong Kong being a free port, where most goods are traded freely. Now you might wonder, if why they allow these dolls to enter the city? These dolls are not illegal goods in a sense of pirated DVDs, drugs and normal custom officer who have no clue that they are "copies".

Perhaps the reputation of China being a bootlegging factory means people would automatically denounce every single doll company bearing the origin of China and Hong Kong. Of course, I have no doubts that Forever dolls and DZ blatantly copied, but I was sad reading upon the harshness towards Mythdoll when they first started out. Is Mythdoll, now, considered a legitimate company, or a mere existence that people would prefer not to acknowledge and say nothing against?

I wish people would remember when CP first started years ago, how their "Ari" looked so much like Volks' 13 Nono. (In fact, they stopped the production soon and rumors say because receiving warnings from Volks). When I first saw the Moon, I thought he resembled Isao and the Mikey heads. And how 2 to 3 years ago, most pirated anime DVDs were produced in Taiwan, not Hong Kong.

I don't know any of the DZ dolls and I don't have any plans to own any. DZ might copied and assembled their bodies of the dolls and I wouldn't be too suprised. But as of now, I feel that the heads could be original, with strong influences from the Moon, which reminded me of Isao and Volks FCS 28.

(long rant and sorry if I am not articulate enough, I am now very sick...)

 

Wow Usagi, I think it's time we step back and take a deep breath. Seriously, you're trying way too hard to crucify DZ on this.