Disney Pixar Cars - The Cottage Industries

Whenever anything becomes popular, "Cottage Industries" (An industry where the creation of products and services is home-based, rather than factory-based) pop up around the thing that is popular. I thought it would be interesting to discuss the many Cottage Industries that have developed around the popularity of Disney Pixar's Cars. Some make a few hundred dollars, while others may make tens of thousands of dollars!

A first example would be Cars blogs and collector web sites. Most are done out of pure joy and rarely make money. If they do, it is through Google AdSense or other ad based revenue.

Another example is Card Guards that were made to protect your die cast toys in their original packaging. These Card Guards keep the cardboard from becoming dog eared, bent and otherwise damaged.

We've also seen people making Cars Display Cases primarily out of plexi-glass that hold various numbers of Cars for display and protection.

We are all highly aware of people selling all sorts of Cars merchandise from the die cast toys to posters on Ebay. The "Secondary Market" is always critical to sustaining collector interest and product longevity.

Finally, we've seen people making what many refer to as "Customs," which I've written about at length. Those I feel are legal, and those I've pointed out infringe on copyrights.

Just how long these "Cottage Industries" generate profits, is determined by the size and popularity of the Primary Industry. Once the Primary Industry is damaged, or the consumer loses interest, you can expect to see the Cottage Industries die very quickly.

The Cars "Cottage Industries" have done fair to poor. No one is making a killing on these things. But, who knows what is around the corner!

Subscribe to Alternator Valley, and get the latest Cars News Faast!

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Disney Pixar Cars - For "Customizers" Who Don't Get It

I love genuine, respectful debate. When people disagree and can discuss things in a calm and mature manner, hopefully we all gain some grain of insight. We may not ultimately agree, but hopefully become better enlightened to the issue being discussed. What I don't appreciate is people who flame, insight, insult and act belligerent towards me, or others when they can't stay focused on the topic and resort to making it personal.

This is the last time I'll make this clear...Make all the "Customs" you want for yourself. However, I strongly suggest you don't use copyrighted images and likenesses of Cars items, sell them on Ebay or elsewhere, otherwise you are PROFITING from the illegal use of those images and likenesses.

Nobody needs my permission to do anything. I'm simply writing articles informing the public that it is unwise to be selling "Customs" using Apple's logos, characters from Cars, or any other intellectually protected image because it is copyright infringement.

People keep trying to attack this blog's author by bringing up the fact that I use the Walmart, Toys R Us or Cars logos. I'll site the U.S. Copyright "Fair Use" Doctrine, and direct you to it so you can be better informed. Here's an excerpt from the government's site. "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered “fair,” such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research." Visit this link to become further enlightened...Fair Use Doctrine

If I was using the Toys R Us logo and selling items with their logo on them, I'd certainly be infringing on their copyright and trademark. I'm not making a cent, and am in fact promoting them through comment and news reporting! Frankly, I'm a publicity machine for Pixar's Cars!!

People selling "Customized" hauler after hauler and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally! People selling bogus Franks over and over and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally. So are the people making ONE item and selling it. The only issue is whether the owner's of those copyrights, Pixar in this case, are going to spend thousands to go after the people selling the illegal items. Anyone with a brain realizes there's a cost/benefit to spending thousands of dollars prosecuting small time thieves. That's why people sell these bogus items. Yet, the fools selling dozens and dozens are far more likely to be prosecuted due to their high visibility and blatant disregard for the law. And simply put, they are making a lot of money doing so. This is the point!

Why do I care? Because it is wrong! Because I'm warning you! Because you shouldn't do it! It doesn't matter what the issue is, if I were to write about the fact that you shouldn't shoplift, you shouldn't rape someone, you shouldn't commit battery, it is all to discuss the reasons why you shouldn't do those things. Maybe discussing it will enlighten someone. Maybe it will stop someone from doing something that could get them in trouble. Maybe it will teach someone about something important.

I have obviously struck a nerve! And, I love it!! Thanks Roger X, you prompted me to write another great article. I'm outta here.

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com