Licensed production of MDF terrain?

[Section9]

I have a question for all the non-US laser-cut MDF terrain makers:

Since international shipping is often a deal-breaker, would you be willing to enter into a licensing agreement with someone in the US to have an American 'supplier' and wipe out the obscene international shipping charges?

Obviously, we'd need to carefully discuss what the licensing fee(s)/royalties would be, but this is a general question, assuming that we could come to an agreement over licensing fee structures.

[Splod]

This. Is. A. Good. Idea.

[Mob of Blondes]

The topic popups constantly in all kind of forums, for all two pairs of continents (America product - European customer, European product - Oceania customer, etc), and so far I think I have not seen any case going ahead. I wonder why.

[VisOne]

Simple same old reason most things don't get off the ground cost this isn't something that would happen without a cost to both parties.

None of the businesses who probably could do it have the initial outlay to cover it. Because lets face it an a few emails might get the ball rolling but were talking at least a few legal documents and agreements to get production underway and thats not something you just nut out yourself of course.

[Antenociti]

I wonder why.

1) Trust
2) Quality
3) Trust

[Antenociti]

(although I probably should point out that there are plenty of companies already doing this sort of thing...)

[Splod]

Since thinking over this idea, I've stumbled on the following eBay listing.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/28mm-Industrial-Terrain-Kit-40k-Necromunda-Bolt-Action-/181336389846?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item2a387db8d6

The product is listed as being made under licence for another company. So obviously it happens.

[chromedog]

Yes, but it's made under licence for wargamestournaments, not any of the companies that make the games that it's "suitable" for.

Also, licensing arrangements will vary from country to country - as to what's enforceable in both, neither or whatever.

[Splod]

Hmm, the listing says made under licence from Wargamestournaments. Which is more less the original idea I'm this topic, unless I've missed the point?

[Section9]

That's the idea.

get the official license(s) from [insert non-US company here] to not get eaten alive by the shipping charges.

The real kicker at the licensee end would be MDF quality and thickness. If I can't get say, 2.5mm +-.1mm MDF, then designs would have to be altered to get stuff to fit with the thickness that I can get, which would be a near-redesign of the entire product (as I understand the laser-cutting setup).

[WookieeGunner]

The biggest problem is a legal one. Most of the companies are too small to justify the expense of lawyers familiar enough with International trade laws to handle the contracts.

[Section9]

The biggest problem is a legal one. Most of the companies are too small to justify the expense of lawyers familiar enough with International trade laws to handle the contracts.

Yeah, that can be ugly. But really, anyone who does international business SHOULD make themselves familiar with the concepts.

Fortunately, I have a book (and I will happily send anyone so interested both photos of my copy AND the ISBN so they can get their own copy).

[Splod]

Pfft... I've got a person for that sort of thing

[Antenociti]

That's the idea.

get the official license(s) from [insert non-US company here] to not get eaten alive by the shipping charges.

The real kicker at the licensee end would be MDF quality and thickness. If I can't get say, 2.5mm +-.1mm MDF, then designs would have to be altered to get stuff to fit with the thickness that I can get, which would be a near-redesign of the entire product (as I understand the laser-cutting setup).

yup, it wouldnt take a slong as making the original design, but you would have to adjust every single piece if it had been drawn up for either 2mm or 3mm (f.ex).

[Section9]

Of course, ideally I'd have my own range of MDF product that I would license in exchange for US production rights, basically making it more "payment in kind" than a financial transaction.

Sadly, I fail to be sufficiently creative. (Not to mention lack my own lasercutter or funds to buy/lease one)

[kidterminal]

The best bet would seem to be a limited partnership between an American company and say a European or Australasian company. By that I mean two established companies in different continents enter into an agreement to produce each others designs on "their" continent.

[Section9]

The best bet would seem to be a limited partnership between an American company and say a European or Australasian company. By that I mean two established companies in different continents enter into an agreement to produce each others designs on "their" continent.

Yeah, that was my "ideal situation" idea.

Because I just cannot afford shipping MDF terrain from overseas, and I assume that many others are in the same boat. Just wish I had time/skills with a laser cutter to get my own terrain up and running so I could "trade" it to companies in Aus and the EU.

[kidterminal]

The idea's not without merit but I doubt that these small companies have to time to put out others stuff.