The Taproom

Though the idea would be original… there are copyright problem and licences problem… we are, alas in the real world…
When the man sends me (or any of us ) in private, some pictures of “greens” or his workbench or any of his work in progess, he usually mentions clearly “please keep it for yourself” do not spread the info (and/or picture) to anybody… Promising to keep silent and keeping this promise is the base of a trust relationship and friendship in most cases….

Now why would the man want his “works in progress not to be unveiled”… there are several answers :
– licence problems (when it comes to figurines CLEARLY representing a Tolkien character) to release info and images on a “yet to be approved” sold-to-be material… (legal aspect)
– copyright and intellectual property of Chris Tubb artwork… Though I doubt we, serious and sympathetic folks would want to spoil anything, if the news of “work in progress” of material non disclosed by Mithril were to be known on the internet, well, I doubt we would use the design, the art the pose whatever is displayed to be used to release other materiel PRIOR to mithril release… that would be ‘industrial espionnage” … (as I said I doubt we would do that… but the rest of the internet would eventually be informed and register on this MMP forum to have access to these picture, try to reproduce it the best they can… and release it with other “names” not needing Tolkien Enterprise licence and thus released sooner…

all in all… It is too risky to display things before the “copyright&licence” are attributed to the figurine…. Since Chris Tubb seems quite upset about piracy lately, I think this would not be a good idea at all… Unless I could prove him I can build a completly safe “virtual space” on this website that NO one can reach without having been specificaly given exclusive access by me (after Chris acceptance) … I don’t mean a login/password but something stronger even… (stronger than the access to the GF forums)…. Some among us may remember that some time ago we were attacked by a “band of orcs” and though I raised the great “warding shields of the Valar” against them, we can’t assume Morgoth does not have intrusion force from beyond the doors of Arda ready to reach in from the Void…

as you can see, though this would be marvellous to have such images… there are “dark side aspects” of this… We must remember that Mithril is an enterprise linked to a very very “closed” licenced world (tolkien) unlike many other brands who do not have to licence their material before selling them…
there are less than 15 enterprises in the world to have a “permanent licence” with TE… and it is very very hard to get it… and VERY easy to loose it…

well as far as I know, Mithril themselves put them online once they get the approval themselves (well in the newsletter at least)
but indeed if not everybody has access to the newsletter, we could, I think, copy the GF pictures extracted from the newsletter

If I am informed the right way, Master Arthadan, there is the current newsletter posted on the mithril side as well.
Otherwise be sure, that new pics of new releases will be posted here on MMP immediately !!!!
But- it is not wrong being part of the fellowship . . . and it´s never too late joining the fellowship

As it was the same for me, Master Arthadan. The old fellowship- what a time.
I am called a new member since last year, as it was an offer . . .

I believe I have a spare set.

I agree with you.. those bonkers sale as you say is probably concentrated on attracting new customers. Probably younger generation of potential Mithril kids… I also want to buy some of them but not this time… I have use 20% fellowship discount for completion of my collection… which is also announced until 28.01….. it will be more discounts through the year…. for sure…

Some quote of the new Mithril newsletter to discuss, I think:

“We have sent a set of the MX release to our painter Joe Fahey to paint a example, he has excellent knowledge of The Hobbit and will paint a perfect set to show just how detailed the release is.”

I am not sure, if Mr Fahey is the right painter to do the job. Yes, I mean that. If you have a look at the painting qualities of some Mithril maniacs or painters in general, the painted examples of Mithril cannot withstand many of them. The painting community has changed and has grown up from the 80ies.

What do you think? Am I hypercritical in my thoughts?

AND CHEERS!!!

I agree about the bonkers Mithril sale. You go to their website and you find the current sale, then you go to evilbay (a.k.a. e-bay, but it’s evil because it makes me spend way too much! ) and you find they are offering reduced prices at the same time for yet another collections… so if you order from both places, you’ll end paying shipping costs twice! Or waiting for next month’s promotion… to pay shipping cost again 😡

Just a plain “10% discount for every 10 figures purchased up to 25% in all M and Classic references” would make happy most of us.

I hope his painting work will appropriate present this beautiful master piece…

. . .and this is the part, where Mr. Dritz enters the stage . . .