by Lane » Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:21 pm
I think the way to handle it would be provide one or two master quality models and have the option of purchasing a mold. That way people who have never made a mold can still cast copies. Once they have worn out the mold then they can consider making a new mold using the purchased one as a guide. Giving someone permission to copy a miniature that has never made a mold is a great way to ensure 90% of them never buy another of your reproduction licenses.
He also needs to reevaluate his stance on people casting for others.
I understand that he does not want people buying a license, casting 100 copies and selling the license and minis on ebay. That would cut into sales of pre made minis from retailers.
I'm one of a very few at my local store with any casting experience. I also have a significant investment in equipment. By his current policy I could help others make their minis as long as I did not get any compensation. Great, I get to give up hours of my limited free time and wear on my equipment so someone else can get free minis. Then I get to deal with people who can not understand why I let a couple people use my shop but not them, just because I got fed up with helping/ teaching others to cast.
There must be a middle ground for non commercial casting for others.
Maybe a list of registered casters and publishing suggested maximum prices. Ask those casters to keep tract of user licenses and how many minis were cast for each.
Sure people could cheat the system, but they are going do do so with his current policy. I'd be surprised if half of the first 100 licenses sold were to a handful of people in China or Indonesia and immediately for sale on Ebay with 30-40 minis. Some licenses will also be sold multiple times and other auctions will have false licenses. If he allows the minis to be sold (with License) he needs to check with Ebay on what he can do to prevent fraud.