We need to help fiddlersgreen

[dansls1]

The question is how do you pay a designers time if one kit purchase can be used for distributing the model to potentially every person who wants it? I wonder if ultimately what you'll see is that the good designers will share details of the models they are working on, while setting up a 'design fund' where they ask people to pre-order the kit in digital format (or even potentially in printed format). That allows them to judge the interest and either get the amount that justifies them the time investment to complete the design or not and refund the money. Obviously this isn't a perfect system - but with digital scanning so readily available I don't see another way for a designer to make sure they are getting paid for their time investment.
Just a thought...

[shoki2000]

Design could take several months or even a year or two for really detailed model - example - do you think that people would put down, let's say $30 for a battleship and wait for it for two years? Also, two years from now this $30 might not cover the cost of the model...
There are even more questions - Where the money would be kept? What happens if designer dies? Or the potential customer? What about the interest if the money is kept in the bank? How do you account for those money with IRS?

[shoki2000]

Originally Posted by dansls1

... Obviously this isn't a perfect system - but with digital scanning so readily available I don't see another way for a designer to make sure they are getting paid for their time investment.
Just a thought...

There are no perfect systems but we try
I'm using software dubbed DataViewer that the model comes in. It is a fully integrated viewing/sizing/printing solution that ties the model to a specific computer. if the model is transferred to a different computer, DataViewer will stop working unless is re-registered by me. Since I maintain list of all the customers, it is easy for me to verify if the person really bought the model.
Of course somebody can print and scan the model to give to somebody else and there is no way to prevent that other than maybe limiting number of printouts allowed by the software, but I decided not to do that.
Somebody might point out that even with this system it was possible to steal models by using stolen credit cards to make purchases - system was already modified to help fight that...

[dansls1]

...Of course somebody can print and scan the model to give to somebody else and there is no way to prevent that other than maybe limiting number of printouts allowed by the software...

And even that really doesn't work, because somebody can still print the kit and scan it back in for re-distribution (not trying to give anybody ideas, just stating the facts of what's possible).
Ultimately we just have to hope that the situation stays good enough that the designers keep designing (or learn to design ourselves).

[Alcides]

All the systems has advantages and disadvantages for example about the software use by gremir models:

1 - I wish you a long and good life Michael, because if something happens to you or your company and I don't know how I'll able to access to my models.
2 - I don't know how backup my models. Yes, I can save the original downloads and if something happens to my hardware register the models again with you but I'm a bit worried about point 1, some alternatives:

- Print the models to pdf: It's no possible, the software disables the possibility.
- Print the models but what I like from digital models is the capability to get an always "new" copy and the "hardcopy" can be affected by manipulation, storage or ink fading. So, I'm thinking in re-scan the models but really is a lot of work for something I pay for it.

So your software is great and it gives protection against copy but for me as owner I feel limited.

Sadly the piracy works against all us: the designers, the modelers and the shops.

Regards
Alcides

[Art Decko]

This is exactly the same problem that all sorts of "content creators" are facing - musicians, writers, photographers, filmmakers, artists - you name it, anything that can be digitized.

The centuries-old solution for selling content/art/information was via it's physical medium, but as physical media vanish, that system is breaking down.

[shoki2000]

Alcides,
There are limitations to the system but I don't depend on GreMir to earn a living so it should stay around for the next 25-30 years without a problem.
Models can also be registered by Jakub Znamirowski so there is a backup.

[the Hobby Factory]

Originally Posted by rlwhitt

That's quite a dark view of the future, but being in the business, I guess you have more insight than most. Do you feel that the "big boys" (Halinksi, GPM, Modelik, etc) are or will be suffering similar fates, or is this just the small producers? Do you have any insight into whether their business is down due to copying?

Sorry, it was not my intention to sound so dark. As to the question if I have any insights into how it is affecting the larger publishing houses, I do not. Most publishers keep to themselves about sales or volumes same as most of the Hobby Shops. So the thoughts are my own.

I do feel that going forward, piracy will have a greater impact on our hobby then on other hobbies due to the very nature of card modeling. It is easier to pirate a card or digital model than that of a plastic model for example. Piracy will have a cascading effect on the hobby. The fewer models that are purchased will lead to higher prices for the models that are sold. This will cause fewer models to be sold, which in turn will cause few models to be designed. That said, piracy is not the only factor driving up the prices. Shipping costs have continued to increase to the point where it now cost 1/3 more to ship the models then it did 4 years ago. The devaluation of the US dollar to the Euro or even the Polish Zolty is being reflected in higher prices for the models, at least for us in North America. Just to name a few factors. All these factors are driving up the purchase price of the models. It has been shown that the higher the purchase price of a product, the more people are willing to obtain it by other means or not buy it at all. I am not saying everyone will start pirating models, just more people will then currently are. There will come a point where publishers and/or designers will decide it is not worth the effort to design or publish the models due to the lower returns. I know of at least one design that has pulled his models due to the fact that he figured for every one he sold 9 more were being illegally downloaded. The ROI that he received was just not worth the effort that was required to design and promote the models.

As I stated these thoughts are my own as there are just so many factors that will affect our hobby in the coming years. Some good and some bad, only time will tell.

Originally Posted by rlwhitt

Do I need to be hoarding printed kits? (I think I can guess your answer on that one! )

No, no hoarding needed. I have done enough hoarding for the both of us.

Jason

[jdmcomp]

I find it ironic that Chip would rail against pirates and then become one himself. He as robbed those who provided him support in his early days to become a web business, the lifetime MK holders, and makes not apology. I consider him as big a thief as any ebay pirate selling his models.

[Rick Thomson]

Originally Posted by jdmcomp

I find it ironic that Chip would rail against pirates and then become one himself. He as robbed those who provided him support in his early days to become a web business, the lifetime MK holders, and makes not apology. I consider him as big a thief as any ebay pirate selling his models.

I dunno, it seems to me that Chip has always been operating on a shoestring and perhaps he has come to the end of that slim strand. I never bought a lifetime MK, just renewed as needed, and will likely do so again when mine run out in 2013.

I suppose that you bought yours for what was it? 50 bucks back then, or was it a C note? I've put in a bit more than that over the last 8 years or so, and consider that I've got my moneys worth out of it so far.

Man proposes, God disposes. I expect Chip made that promise in good faith back then, but things change.

Anyhow the other thread on this was closed, and this will be my only post on the subject.

[ARMORMAN]

As a designer, I take whatever precautions I can to stop piracy; but at some point, some rather unscrupulous individual will probably get their hands on my kit(s) and distribute them to the farthest reaches of known space. I hope to have recouped my costs by that point, but if not, so be it. I have a few integrated features that will allow me to track each specific model sold, so if it does happen, you'll all be made aware who not to sell to.

I'll just continue to design kits. My creativity cannot be pirated, just the results. I won't stop because some want to steal because of their own intellectual shortcomings. They will reap the whirlwind. I may not know it, and I really don't care to. I have a dream, vision, purpose, and goal. To pay any heed to those who would steal my work by stopping production would be inappropriate and absurd. It would say that I care too much about what others say or do and too little about what I am supposed to do.

Find out what you're supposed to do and do it. Pick up the sword and shield, turn to those who try to stop you and fight your way through them. Don't stop, don't slow down. Somewhere in you you know what you need to be doing. The paper model companies know what they're supposed to be doing and in spite of piracy, they continue to produce better and better models for the consumer. They are aware of it, don't like it, but keep going forward. They appreciate (I'm sure) notification of piracy and take action where possible; but they don't focus on the kits they designed yesterday that are being scanned and pirated, but on the kits they are making for tomorrow.

"Remember, we're all pullin for ya. We're in this together."