Look again, this is not what is seems. 'Dynamic' name likely chosen for
fit.
Kingstar liked the look of the early 1980's Hot Wheels package
Realtoy found in Canada. New packaging from Realtoy is not a copy. |
Pirated Packaging
Is it the sincerest form of flattery?
by Doug Breithaupt
If you are doing a double-take, it's excusable. The packages on the right
are the real thing, packages for Majorette and Hot Wheels. On the left are
packages for Dynamic, Kingstar and Realtoy. It's one thing to copy someone
else's diecast car but is it necessary to steal the packaging too?
For many years, various diecast manufacturers from around the world have
used Matchbox, Majorette, Siku and Tomica castings as a starting point to
produce their own diecast. Some have actually re-cast using the original
casting as a master. These castings are often slightly smaller than the
originals. Others have simply copied the original casting, often with simplifications
in detail to save cost. Playart, Zee Toys, Maxwell of India and Muki of
Argentina all produced these knock-offs.
Less common is the practice of copying the packaging of major diecast producers
in what appears to be the hope that consumers will grab one in the impression
that they are getting the other. These pirated packages seldom reach the
US but are more common in Europe and Canada.
The Majorette knock-off at the top of this page is one of the most blatant.
The packaging is virtually identical except for the substitution of the
name 'Dynamic' where 'Majorette' would usually go. I found this in British
Columbia and this Chinese-made product actually states "Burnaby, B.C.
Canada V5A3G4 Ph: 604-444-1115" on the package. They are producing
a complete selection of Majorette knock-offs, like the Porsche race car
shown. of course, the quality of the product is much lower. Curiously, the
prices for the copy are about the same as the original. I would expect that
Majorette is unaware of this activity as Canadian law must not allow this
sort of product piracy.
The second example is from Kingstar of Korea (see
story last issue). While clearly a copy of the Hot Wheels package circa
1982, the Kingstar products were unique castings of rather good quality.
As nothing has been seen from Kingstar for some time, it appears they are
no longer in business.
The third example is more recent. Realtoy has just began to expand in the
US market. The package shown is several years old, having now been replaced
by a new and unique package. The example here was also purchased in Canada.
The Realtoy castings are unique and have recent improved dramatically with
better paint and wheels. There can be little doubt however that Hot Wheel
blue and the red and white logo were an attempt with earlier packaging,
to confuse buyers and associate with Mattel's image. |
Here is the original from Majorette
Hot Wheels - 1982 above, and 1999 below
|