Long overdue, Kidrobot has r eleased an official statement addressing bootlegging in which they make clear that they welcome and support customization of their various toys (including their popular Dunny and Munny platforms), but will actively seek to prevent bootlegging—the un-authorized duplication of their toys.
While the distinctions can get blurry, our interpretation of the statement is that artists/collectors/fans who purchase a Kidrobot figure can do to it as they see fit, and can release limited series of “Dunnys”, “Munnys” or what have you as long as a production vinyl figure is used for each piece. However, the duplication or reproduction of a Kidrobot toy will be viewed negatively, as an infringement of the brand’s intellectual property, and will be subject to corrective action. Or put another way, paint, cut, and add to their toys, but don’t make molds and cast your own copies of KR figures. Additionally, don’t create and sell from “scratch” versions of “Dunnys” (as an example) as these will likely be considered bootlegs; each piece does not include one of KR’s production toys. Again, this is our interpretation of the statement, if you’re in doubt please reach out to Kidrobot for clarification.
From our perspective, this policy is sensible, allowing artistic creativity, while protecting the financial investment and rights of Kidrobot and the artists they work with. Frankly, we’ve been surprised that Kidrobot has until now, turned a bllind-eye to bootlegs, such as resin Dunnys.
Perhaps as equally important as the basic policy is the fact that Kidrobot is open to working with artists who would like to pursue projects which involve duplicating production toys, under a licensing arrangement. In fact, Mikie Graham worked with Kidrobot on this type of arrangement for his sweet Halloween Dunnys. Additionally, the re-born KR is actively working with and promoting customizers.
