[naturalbornkiller]

muskiesfan Wrote:I'm glad UD can go back to business as usual. I'm happy that Topps was not able to prevent from UD from moving forward.




Joe

ud should now sue topps for pain and suffering

[A_Pharis]

bigguy219 Wrote:I never believed a company could "own" names and player statistics. I always felt these existed in the public name.

To me the issue has always been with the images, which are covered by copyright law.

That being said, companies like CMG disgust me. Once a player is dead ... that should be it. Stop making money off corpses.

And when you start seeing "Babe Ruth Adult Diapers" you will change your mind. Look at what kind of fiasco surrounded using Elvis' name for EVERYTHING. Companies like CMG usually work with the estate of the celebrity to help protect the interest of the family.

[chrisolds2004]

Somehow I don't think this will mean I get my Mystery Cut back any faster...

I'm all for licensing rights for players' likenesses. CMG and Topps have a right to sue if you ask me.

Topps doesn't own them -- it owns the exclusive rights to use them on cards that it sells. For big names like those in the case, or dead celebs like Elvis or Marilyn Monroe, there's plenty of money to be made.

Would you want someone making money off your name without getting a cut? I wouldn't.

[Therion (The Sanguinary Strosfan)]

brouthercard Wrote:So what does topps exactly have exclusive rights to?

So what does Topps exactly have exclusive rights to?

[naturalbornkiller]

topps has the right to make the cards with the players picture

[Therion (The Sanguinary Strosfan)]

naturalbornkiller Wrote:topps has the right to make the cards with the players picture

So they paid for the right to do something they already had the right to do?

[naturalbornkiller]

Therion (The Sanguinary Strosfan) Wrote:

naturalbornkiller Wrote:topps has the right to make the cards with the players picture

So they paid for the right to do something they already had the right to do?

they got the exclusive to put the pitcture on the card of a dead person

[Austin Autographs]

bigguy219 Wrote:The issue I have is with agencies like CMG that continue to charge for the person's likeness even after they're dead.
I believe that once they're deceased, any company that has a MLB license should be able to produce cards of that player without having to shell out money to some agent.
No one should own these players.

I'm not sure you understand the concept of estate agencies like CMG.

When a player is alive, he has an agent, who makes deals with sponsors, card companies, etc.
The player gets the majority of the money. The agent gets a percentage.

After a player dies, an agency like CMG can become an agent to the estate, which is the players' family's agent.
So any proceeds made off of the players' name and likeness, which belongs to the family, goes to the family.

CMG just gets a percentage, like a normal agent. CMG does not own the players, as you put it.
In fact, CMG represents many alive former players, like Whitey Ford and Jim Palmer.

As someone else wrote, these agencies work with the estate to protect the interest of the family.
Why shouldn't a deceased player's family receive money from the profits that companies make off his image?

[Therion (The Sanguinary Strosfan)]

naturalbornkiller Wrote:

Therion (The Sanguinary Strosfan) Wrote:

naturalbornkiller Wrote:topps has the right to make the cards with the players picture

So they paid for the right to do something they already had the right to do?

they got the exclusive to put the pitcture on the card of a dead person

But some of the UD cards had pictures. I'm confused as to what Topps paid for and why UD didn't violate it by making these cards?

[www*amazingheroes*com]

The issue I have isn't with the card companies. The issue I have is with agencies like CMG that continue to charge for the person's likeness even after they're dead. I believe that once they're deceased, any company that has a MLB license should be able to produce cards of that player without having to shell out money to some agent. No one should own these players.[/quote]

Don't you think the players familys should decide how there loved one's name and likeness are used? The companys represent the famlys of the players. Yes, CMG get there cut but they make sure the passed players likeness is used in a tastefull and respectfull way.



Steve
Amazing Heroes
Union NJ 07083