So what would be the big difference between a custom and an actual product? I would think it would be how it is sold. Is it sold through some sort of distributor or available as a convention item? I think that's how things end up being an official product, regardless of who makes it or how it was made.
To a degree, perhaps, but then you have something like this:
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/dairycon-2012-exclusive-cosmoo-174250/Sure it's for a convention, but they're using a toy, whether it's Hasbro or 3rd party doesn't matter, that was not sanctioned for use by the manufacturer. This would not be an "official" product - it's just a painted-up, non-sanctioned repaint of Cosmos. Even if it was made in significant numbers, that's all it is.
Then you have this:
http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/auto-assembly-2013-bad-cop-exclusive-kitbash-add-on-order-form/Sold in two packages- gold and silver. No way is the gold package version going to make it into the database as they include a Hasbro product (Vehicon) with the 3rd party "kit". Now, the silver package version is a different story as the head and the lightbar were seemingly available separately.
Heck, there was a point in time when "BotCon" wasn't the official convention of the Transformers. In 2004, the OTFCC became the official convention, sanctioned by Hasbro, yet there was still a BotCon that year. And they had an exclusive -
AM G2 Breakdown. Because of the lack of Hasbro support, this is not considered an official product, even though it was exclusive to a convention that, at the time, had the more recognizable name.
Basically, overall, just because something is released by or available at a convention, doesn't make it something we'd automatically enter into the database.
Apparently, the Mugan Scope was intended to be a Slagacon exclusive, according to a post on Seibertron.com. But, here are a few of FR's Slagacon customization class (I guess) items.
FOC Prowl (2012) - from Hasbro FOC Sideswipe/Jazz
Zombie Cliffjumper (2012) - from Hasbro Prime Cliffjumper
Slag (2013) - from Hasbro Bulkhead
None of these should be in the database, even though they were released at a convention.
But then there's this:
http://tformers.com/transformers-flywheels-online-customizing-class-with/21051/news.htmlWhich IS in the database as the KFC people gave him approval. Of course, on the above page, you can see that the combined form seems to be named Flywheels, and is described as a Decepticon Duocon, so you won't find that image or language in the database.
Anyhow, doing a little more digging, it seems that KFC gave him approval for Mugan Scope (as evidenced by their logo on the box found
here), so normally, that WOULD BE allowed in the database.
However, the addition of that Autobot symbol on the toy, no matter how seemingly insignificant, may pose some problems for us. FR had the approval of KFC, but I can all but guarantee they don't have the approval of Hasbro for the use of the symbol. However, if it isn't pre-applied and doesn't necessarily have to be displayed, that makes for far less problems.
If it is pre-applied, as paranoid/tin foil hat as it may sound, I'm not about to run the risk of having to shut down the database for one item. If we put it up, and any VIP requests that it be removed, we will remove it.
MIKE
engledogg
