Your true feelings about VIP?

[greg]

a fourth vote for VIP...

I guess the Harbinger with bat wings must be real cool to some...

Just HOW many I.D's does Micheal Lovitz have on this Board?



-Brian

At least 4 from the looks of it.

Well, 2 are his, 1 for his wife and 1 for his mom.

Ummm... let's just say... doubtful.

[wrunow]

I have been watching these VIP/VEI discussions somewhat here on the boards in a whole bunch of different threads and have come to the conclusion that it's pretty much a waste of time here and for us as fans of the original VALIANT universe.

From my point of view, VIP is pretty much irrelevant, even if they end up with the TM's they own nothing really that would be of interest to me, or probably most of you guys (and ladies) I guess. They cannot publish the characters I am interested in so I don't really bother to worry about it.

Now obviously these VIP guys are pretty shrewd, they have a high powered lawyer, and supposedly they want to publish comics. Their lawyer may or may not even be a principle in VIP, who really knows or cares. I would think that VEI would have the resources to do what they need to do, if they found that it was necessary, and at this time, as far as we know, and we don't really know much, they are not looking to negotiate. There is probably been a dollar figure leaked that they are not interested in.

If VIP is legit about making comics using these "names" of books, and that is the only way they can get the public to look at their product, well, they've got bigger problems than worrying about whether VEI is gonna use these names or not. If that is there gimmick and put out a quality product, then more power to them I guess. I might even like one or two of their books, but, if they had the resources and the talent to do this I don't think they would be chasing TM's to characters they cannot publish.

Some of the people looking at this may think VIP has limited resources and is trying to get into the business through the back door. Well, people with limited resources do not hire Mr. Lovitz, I am sure his retainer is many thousands of dollars more than the investment made so far to try to acquire the TM's and he charges several hundreds of dollars per hour for his services. Anybody who has used lawyers on a consistent basis knows that after they finish charging you for each phone call, letter, copy paper, toner, the envelope, and the stamp, that it is pretty expensive and you do not spend money like that on a whim.

So anyway, let's get back to doing what we do, and that's promoting the characters and stories we fell for many years ago, and in a lot of cases, reading for the first time now.

Thanks for your time.

[slym2none]

I have been watching these VIP/VEI discussions somewhat here on the boards in a whole bunch of different threads and have come to the conclusion that it's pretty much a waste of time here and for us as fans of the original VALIANT universe.

From my point of view, VIP is pretty much irrelevant, even if they end up with the TM's they own nothing really that would be of interest to me, or probably most of you guys (and ladies) I guess. They cannot publish the characters I am interested in so I don't really bother to worry about it.

Now obviously these VIP guys are pretty shrewd, they have a high powered lawyer, and supposedly they want to publish comics. Their lawyer may or may not even be a principle in VIP, who really knows or cares. I would think that VEI would have the resources to do what they need to do, if they found that it was necessary, and at this time, as far as we know, and we don't really know much, they are not looking to negotiate. There is probably been a dollar figure leaked that they are not interested in.

If VIP is legit about making comics using these "names" of books, and that is the only way they can get the public to look at their product, well, they've got bigger problems than worrying about whether VEI is gonna use these names or not. If that is there gimmick and put out a quality product, then more power to them I guess. I might even like one or two of their books, but, if they had the resources and the talent to do this I don't think they would be chasing TM's to characters they cannot publish.

Some of the people looking at this may think VIP has limited resources and is trying to get into the business through the back door. Well, people with limited resources do not hire Mr. Lovitz, I am sure his retainer is many thousands of dollars more than the investment made so far to try to acquire the TM's and he charges several hundreds of dollars per hour for his services. Anybody who has used lawyers on a consistent basis knows that after they finish charging you for each phone call, letter, copy paper, toner, the envelope, and the stamp, that it is pretty expensive and you do not spend money like that on a whim.

So anyway, let's get back to doing what we do, and that's promoting the characters and stories we fell for many years ago, and in a lot of cases, reading for the first time now.

Thanks for your time.

-slym

[The Harbinger]

I have been watching these VIP/VEI discussions somewhat here on the boards in a whole bunch of different threads and have come to the conclusion that it's pretty much a waste of time here and for us as fans of the original VALIANT universe.

From my point of view, VIP is pretty much irrelevant, even if they end up with the TM's they own nothing really that would be of interest to me, or probably most of you guys (and ladies) I guess. They cannot publish the characters I am interested in so I don't really bother to worry about it.

Now obviously these VIP guys are pretty shrewd, they have a high powered lawyer, and supposedly they want to publish comics. Their lawyer may or may not even be a principle in VIP, who really knows or cares. I would think that VEI would have the resources to do what they need to do, if they found that it was necessary, and at this time, as far as we know, and we don't really know much, they are not looking to negotiate. There is probably been a dollar figure leaked that they are not interested in.

If VIP is legit about making comics using these "names" of books, and that is the only way they can get the public to look at their product, well, they've got bigger problems than worrying about whether VEI is gonna use these names or not. If that is there gimmick and put out a quality product, then more power to them I guess. I might even like one or two of their books, but, if they had the resources and the talent to do this I don't think they would be chasing TM's to characters they cannot publish.

Some of the people looking at this may think VIP has limited resources and is trying to get into the business through the back door. Well, people with limited resources do not hire Mr. Lovitz, I am sure his retainer is many thousands of dollars more than the investment made so far to try to acquire the TM's and he charges several hundreds of dollars per hour for his services. Anybody who has used lawyers on a consistent basis knows that after they finish charging you for each phone call, letter, copy paper, toner, the envelope, and the stamp, that it is pretty expensive and you do not spend money like that on a whim.

So anyway, let's get back to doing what we do, and that's promoting the characters and stories we fell for many years ago, and in a lot of cases, reading for the first time now.

Thanks for your time.

Someone on here suggested using Children of the 8th day instead of Harbinger for example. I'm not that worried about vip if VEI just keeps a consistent pace going.

[ManofTheAtom]

Someone on here suggested using Children of the 8th day instead of Harbinger for example. I'm not that worried about vip if VEI just keeps a consistent pace going.

Oh yeah, that's right (I think I was that someone)

That's much better than The Foundation.

[Chiclo]

I've got some corrollaries based on heresay and conjecture, but since that's all we have to go on, it's as good as any.

I halfway suspect that vip is Lovitz. He's clearly actively interested in comic book character copyright law; he gave a seminar on it at SDCC this year. I have no reason not to believe that he gave up chasing ambulances and instead started researching intellectual property law. What does vip stand for? Valiant Intellectual Properties. No mention of industry, production, publishing, communication, printing or comics. The name suggests nothing active. How do we know this man has backers or represents anyone other than himself? I think he's applying something he knows well professionally for personal gain, not unlike when I purchase a severely underpriced firearm at a pawn shop and resell it. Furthermore, I think he's doing it with Savage Tales too.

On an obliquely related note, I remember Greg mentioned that it was important to make the stance of this messageboard in the vip/VEI debate clear to all concerned (potentially including researchers from the agency involved in dispensing the trademarks) and active and that's why consistent discussion is worthwhile.

[Rubiks-Q-Bert]

I just forgot to say.

SCREW VIP! I HOPE ANYTHING YOU PUT OUT GETS BURNED UP IN TRANSIT TO THE STORES! Have a nice day.