Will there be anybody in future to fulfill our dreams?
By Mario Covalski
I was thinking a few days ago, about the strange situations posed by modeling in our days. When I was very young, it was difficult to find a great variety of models; in those days, I used to build airplanes in 1/48 scale from Monogram, and 1/72 scale from Airfix. If I wanted something real luxurious I had to choose Nichimo, although they were more expensive and difficult to find.
Not even in my wildest dreams, could I think about a manufacturer copying to another, and moreover, to think that the copy would be good enough. Today, this is a rather common practice, because nobody shows much respect about the copyright, specially in those places where this practice is allowed.
But, how does this practice affect us modelers?, very simple; making a model or a conversion kit, or even a superdetailing set, is a work that takes time, money, and moreover, you have to be a genius and a "virtuoso". I feel envious about the artisans that make the master moulds, in resin or wood; it takes long hours of hard work that only a few blessed ones can do in the world. Then, these originals are taken by people without scruples and in a few hours (sometimes they even use special pantographs), they make copies of the moulds, PE frets, and even decal sheets.
Nobody is safe from this practice; even us, people who do our work publishing a virtual magazine, must look permanently for legal advice in order to protect our copyrights, both "moral" and official.
At this point I go back to the beginning; how does this affect us modelers? We must give our support to people who use their ability and efforts. Before buying a kit, or super detailing set, or receiving a book, magazine…etc, let's be sure that we are buying something original.
If the honest people don't get our support, there will be nobody in the future to fulfill our dreams…
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