Metal Meeples on Indiegogo

[CKorfmann]

Vanguard Meeples

I saw these advertised on BGG today.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/vanguard-meeples

Linkback: https://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=1760.0

[kettlefish]

That is interesting. But did they first ask the publisher HiG?

[Rosco]

Very expensive but they are beautiful.  Personally I wouldn't consider a set without all of the carcassonne meeples and a promise of producing any new ones that are released. 

[danisthirty]

That is interesting. But did they first ask the publisher HiG?

I've always been a bit unsure about the copyright side of things when it comes to meeples. Obviously it makes sense with the tiles and artwork as it's something that they own and license. But, meeples themselves are little more than just a shape really. Can you copyright a shape? They seem too generic to be able to have people pay you for the right to sell them. Presumably such an agreement exists with meeplesource?

[Rosco]

I would agree Dan.  That's why I found it strange about carcatrons clear meeples

[danisthirty]

I would agree Dan.  That's why I found it strange about carcatrons clear meeples

I guess we'll see. I would be happy to go for a full set of these meeples as they look fantastic and I'd love to own them. However, I wouldn't support anything that infringes on HiGs copyright arrangement so this is a tricky one.

[Rosco]

Without intending to cause a debate - do you not think it could be a case of HIG throwing their weight around a bit ? I know that they are a relatively small company but it does seem that way.  Although it could be the issue of the non regular meeples. I.e. the carcassonne specific ones.

[danisthirty]

Without intending to cause a debate - do you not think it could be a case of HIG throwing their weight around a bit ? I know that they are a relatively small company but it does seem that way.  Although it could be the issue of the non regular meeples. I.e. the carcassonne specific ones.

I know what you mean, but compared to some companies I don't think HiG have that much weight to be throwing around in the first place. So I support them wholeheartedly in any attempt to protect their intellectual property if it means extra money for them to be investing in Carcassonne.

It is an interesting point though; could it be argued that HiG owns the rights to produce meeples such as these? Maybe it's obvious if you're legally-minded, but for me it seems like a tricky dilemma as there doesn't appear to be any reference to Carcassonne other than by the shape of the pieces and the fact that they're referred to as "meeples" which isn't an official term anyway...

[Safari]

Some time ago I saw an interview with a HiG official and he explained that back then they decided to don't put a copyright on their meeple shape. The could have done it, but rather wanted not to do it (or simply forgot about it, I don't remember exactly any more). However, now they are happy that there is no copyright on the "meeple", since a copyright might have limited the great success of the meeple as kind of standard playing piece shape in the whole world. He said that today the meeple is far more than a piece of Carcassonne. It is well known also outside the Carcassonne universe thanks to the lack of any copyright.

[danisthirty]

Some time ago I saw an interview with a HiG official and he explained that back then they decided to don't put a copyright on their meeple shape. The could have done it, but rather wanted not to do it (or simply forgot about it, I don't remember exactly any more). However, now they are happy that there is no copyright on the "meeple", since a copyright might have limited the great success of the meeple as kind of standard playing piece shape in the whole world. He said that today the meeple is far more than a piece of Carcassonne. It is well known also outside the Carcassonne universe thanks to the lack of any copyright.

That's really interesting, and a sentiment I happen to agree with too.

I don't suppose you can remember where you read the interview can you?

[Ailurus]

From the video — "... and above all, unique". Well... )

Interesting, I wonder which metal they use. It's slightly lighter than the pewter I use (95% tin), one of my regular-sized meeples weighs approximately 12.5 grams. Also thought about plating, but I'd first need a layer of nickel, then copper, ...

I would definitely be interested in a complete set of anodised aluminum meeples! Or glass ones for that matter

[glh510]

It's slightly lighter than the pewter I use (95% tin), one of my regular-sized meeples weighs approximately 12.5 grams.

I love to have your's in my collection, so i don't even have to think about this ones :-)

[danisthirty]

I was wondering whether this post would inspire you to post something Ailurus. My set of pewter meeples that you sent me are still the pride of my collection!

I quite like the look of the box that comes with the $99 level, although it's a lot to fork out for...

[jungleboy]

My set of pewter meeples that you sent me are still the pride of my collection!

Your 300 dan-meeples are all in tears at this admission.

[danisthirty]

My set of pewter meeples that you sent me are still the pride of my collection!

Your 300 dan-meeples are all in tears at this admission.

They know their place...