Hero Factory Bootleg

[Xabla]

Recently I had made a topic about A Bionicle bootleg comparison, and by coincidence I tumbled across this.

 

http://www.fivebelow.com/sports/toys-and-collectibles/bot-factory.html

 

The reason I found this interesting was that because this store is a chain store that sells many things, but only the Lego Minifigure packs.

 

[Sumiki]

All of these bootleg topics reminds me that there used to be an Official Bootleg Topic on the old forums. Does Five Below know that they're knockoffs?

[Ballom Nom Nom]

It's amusing how different the bootleg Breez is from the box art. Missing Hero Core, missing lower arm armor, differently colored and angled thigh armor with print, not to mention that bizarre weapon...

 

~B~

[Van Hohenheim]

I've never seen that chestplate before. It looks like a cross between the first wave and the second wave's chest pieces. Were those in any of the actual sets?

[Nidhiki of the Shadows]

I've never seen that chestplate before. It looks like a cross between the first wave and the second wave's chest pieces. Were those in any of the actual sets?

Looks to me like a Savage Planet (3.0)  chestplate. 

 

This is a terrible bootleg though.

 

-NotS

[Chro]

All of these bootleg topics reminds me that there used to be an Official Bootleg Topic on the old forums.

Might be thinking of this.

It's not an official topic per se, but it's the only one I can think of.

[Sumiki]

 

All of these bootleg topics reminds me that there used to be an Official Bootleg Topic on the old forums.

Might be thinking of this.

 

It's not an official topic per se, but it's the only one I can think of.

 

The one I'm thinking of was in the old BIONICLE Sets forum and was swept away with the rest of the Forum Archive.

[Toa Chuck]

What an odd bootleg. A 1.0 core, 2.0 helm and chest, 3.0 shoulders, and a joker gun?

[Xabla]

I went to 5 below about a month ago and they didn't have this.

[Ayliffe]

I remember seeing a really bad Hero Factory knockoff in Poundland once, didn't buy it though

[masterchirox580]

I remember seeing a really bad Hero Factory knockoff in Poundland once, didn't buy it though

Really, I thought bootlegs were only sold on obscure online stores, you think lego would probably do something to them (poundland). 

[Lyichir]

I've seen these in my local Five Below. Upon close inspection of the boxes, it seems that the creators made VERY minor changes to the Hero Factory molds, such as raised edges on the torso shell. I would assume this is to help obscure the blatant copyright infringement, since it allows them to claim that the designs are their own (though, not having seen the products out-of-package, for all I know those changes were only made to the product images and the parts themselves are the same as Lego's).

 

These bootlegs are concerning since they're the first Constraction bootlegs I've seen in my home state of Virginia. I should probably report this to Kevin Hinkle in case he can get word to Lego's legal team.

[Banana Gunz]

That chest piece actually looks pretty rad... but I still hate knock-offs and second party products.

[masterchirox580]

I've seen these in my local Five Below. Upon close inspection of the boxes, it seems that the creators made VERY minor changes to the Hero Factory molds, such as raised edges on the torso shell. I would assume this is to help obscure the blatant copyright infringement, since it allows them to claim that the designs are their own (though, not having seen the products out-of-package, for all I know those changes were only made to the product images and the parts themselves are the same as Lego's).

 

These bootlegs are concerning since they're the first Constraction bootlegs I've seen in my home state of Virginia. I should probably report this to Kevin Hinkle in case he can get word to Lego's legal team.

If you do so will any legal action only apply to the U.S or will it be taken to all stores suspected of selling them worldwide?

[Xabla]

I don't know, but I might pick one up and do a review.

[Tahu3.0]

I actually have a bootleg Hero Factory and its called POLICE LEGEND and it costed about 8 us dollars at my pharmacy and what i have to say about bootlegs is that they feel different and have exclusive bootlegish pieces like the chest piece and hero core.  

[Lyichir]

 

I've seen these in my local Five Below. Upon close inspection of the boxes, it seems that the creators made VERY minor changes to the Hero Factory molds, such as raised edges on the torso shell. I would assume this is to help obscure the blatant copyright infringement, since it allows them to claim that the designs are their own (though, not having seen the products out-of-package, for all I know those changes were only made to the product images and the parts themselves are the same as Lego's).

 

These bootlegs are concerning since they're the first Constraction bootlegs I've seen in my home state of Virginia. I should probably report this to Kevin Hinkle in case he can get word to Lego's legal team.

If you do so will any legal action only apply to the U.S or will it be taken to all stores suspected of selling them worldwide?

 

I doubt anything will affect stores which already have them—I think only a mandatory recall can do anything about them and I think those usually only happen when products have a serious safety issue, rather than simply infringing copyright. If Lego takes any legal action it's likely to target the manufacturers themselves, with a victory ideally forcing the manufacturers to cease production and destroy the rest of their supply.

 

In any case, Kevin responded to my email saying that he had forwarded it to the appropriate people in legal. So hopefully they can do something about these.

Edited December 16, 2014 by Lyichir

[prozac]

I bought them all a few weeks ago. I'm just now getting into HF and I prefer the older stuff which is harder to find now, so I was excited to find them. Sure the colors and part combos ate kinda off but really the quality isnt horrible...especiall for $3.

[Tahu3.0]

I bought them all a few weeks ago. I'm just now getting into HF and I prefer the older stuff which is harder to find now, so I was excited to find them. Sure the colors and part combos ate kinda off but really the quality isnt horrible...especiall for $3.

Youre lucky in my bootleg i had to waste 8 dollars.

[prozac]

I ahould clarify...rhey they were $3 each.

[Tahu3.0]

me to 8 dollars each.

[bioniclepluslotr]

The HF Brain Attack bootlegs I have from Decool are actually pretty good. All pieces are accurate with the exception of the brain, which is some translucent hard plastic for some reason.

[Manducus]

I remember seeing a really bad Hero Factory knockoff in Poundland once, didn't buy it though

 

Poundland: The land of cheap tat

 

This reminds me. I believe a Youtuber by the name of Ashens actually did a quick review of a Breez knockoff.

[kanohi of jello]

hah these are hilarious, you gotta love how shameless bootlegs are. Always good for a chuckle. That being said I hate stuff like this because of confused relatives who will buy this instead of the real deal and I'll have to act appreciative despite my dreams being shattered to 39 little knockoff pieces +instructions.

 

haha too good

[Jobber]

Bionicle/HF bootlegs in general can have really cool recolors/new pieces (if they're good quality) for MOCing.

Too bad I don't know anywhere where I can buy 'em.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Chasm

[Owlexander]

It's a bootleg... but I want it... I.. I feel dirty... I want this... for MOC'ing... but I feel dirty... I want it.

[Toa Doublebee]

I went to my local mall's toy store hoping to find the new BIONICLE sets. All I found were a few old Ninjago stuff and a bunch of Hero Factory knockoffs.

It was a sad day.

[kanohi of jello]

I noticed that the link has been taken down. The site claims it needs to be restocked, but what do you guys think the chances are that the bot factory sets won't be appearing any time soon (like, ever)?

[CaT in Rogue]

Ah, bootlegs. Doth your wonders never cease? Or begin?

 

Seriously, why do these guys all have to be so cheap-looking? Cost cutting, I know, but I would think putting SOME effort into the product would get more people to buy them.

 

Of course, that's assuming these people care about anything other than making a quick, easy buck. They clearly do not.