MaxMini.eu Dwarf Hero and Inserts

[Przemas]

MaxMini has released its second miniature, a <a target=_blank href="http://www.maxmini.eu/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=43">Dwarf Hero</a>.<br>
<img src="http://www.maxmini.eu/previews/dwarfsmall.jpg"><br>
Their scenic bases line is currently redesigned and switched to inserts. Round 25mm inserts fit both standard round bases with slot and WM-style (with lip as well).<br>
Industrial inserts and new <a target=_blank href="http://www.maxmini.eu/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_7&products_id=44">Ruined Cementary</a> inserts are already availible.<br>
<img src="http://www.maxmini.eu/previews/cmsq20mm_small.jpg">http://www.maxmini.eu/store/

 

[fatalpersonality]

You must try the quality of this incredible firm! :beer:

Congratulation also for the paintjob of the dwarf and bases... really astonishing! :beer:

 

[theultimateqpa]

The mini is quite nice but its a total rip off from GW dwarf designs so there might be some trouble

 

[Przemas]

@theultimateqpa: funny thing - I became aware that it resembles some of the artwork GW did after showing it on CofC. This was not intentional - sculptor did a job in semi-nordic semi-celtic style. BTW - the GW dwarves are completely different .
So I wouldn`t call it a rip off, but rather the same thing inspired us and Adrian Smith who did mentioned pic.

 

[ScottRadom]

I ordered two myself, but I have to agree that it may not resemble the GW mini dwarf range it looks identical to the artwork from their cardgames. Check out the book Grudgelore and you\'ll see.

I love it, hence the order. Just make sure you ship my order before the GW lawyers come rapelling through the skylight at your office please!lol

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by theultimateqpa
The mini is quite nice but its a total rip off from GW dwarf designs so there might be some trouble

Hmmn, I think that the Rip Off is a bit strong as many manufactures have Dwarves with a similar \"Psuedo-Celtic\" flavour.
Like Reaper Dwarves
Avatars of War Although Felix did work for GW, and sculpted some superb ones.
And Scibors.

 

[ScottRadom]

I LOVE the model, ordered two.... One to paint IMMEDIATELY and one to save for the times when my skills grow. That\'s how big a fan I am of it.

But it really, really is near identical to the artwork in the card games and the mentioned \"Grudgelore\" fluff book. I\'m more then happy to continue to pick up the range if they continue in this style and quality, but I do fear someone may be getting a knock on the door from some men in very nice suits with some complicated papers soon...

 

[Dragonsreach]

Just remembered something, I think that they may be Polish.
And if I\'m not mistaken Polish Copyright Laws are markedly different to the UK\'s in this area.

 

[squig hunter]

As said previously, lovely mini, but looking at it, and the dwarf army book, it is pretty much copied off the ironbreaker art in the book, I\'d post a comparison, but I\'m not sure if it would be legal

SQuig

 

[ScottRadom]

Not that this has anything to do with the original post anymore (\'cept I did buy some, so hooray) but is GW only protected by UK copyright law? We actually had a very small issue with them and we got a little bit of correspondence from the US (I\'m Canadian). Isn\'t GW mutlinational now with extended copyright protection? Like I know Mickey Mouse is still Mickey no matter where you live, and Disney will come slap the ears off your head even at a test station in the Arctic, Doesn\'t GW have the same sort of dealy?

I certainly am no lawyer, but I DO find this interesting.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Well Disney\'s lawyers heve the alledged reputation of making blood frenzied great white sharks look downright friendly in comparison, but Copyright laws are governed by several international treaties and one which is the primary one (Berne convention?) but I\'m sure Poland isn\'t/wasn\'t one of the signatories so the laws may not protect GW\'s IP in the same way as the UK, USA and Canada.
But I\'m no lawyer and am only going off memory, which today isn\'t that impressive.

 

[Wombat85]

Ok i\'m not sure if this will cause problems so mods edit if necessary. Check this link with regards to its similarity to gw dwarf:

http://warhammerinfo.com/img/art-ironbreaker03.jpg

This is from GW/Mythic: Warhammer online. I think the miniature is an exact copy but if you think they are still deferent please feel free to do so.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

since poland is now part of the EU then UK copywright will protect GW\'s products.

and that is a direct copy i\'m afraid, intentional or not.

 

[Przemas]

well, I could post a pic that is even more similar to our mini that I got thanks to folks from CofC (Adrian Smith artwork).
The problem is that both GW artwork and our minis are all based on a real pieces of armours and decoaration. When I`ll be back home I`ll look for the pics and will throw them here so you`ll be able to judge by yourself.
c`mon GW haven`t invented everything .
so saying it`s a copy f GW`s stuff is a mistake - we haven`t based our minis on their work. leaving the legal matters aside we don`t want to do such things simply because we`re manufacturers too and we avoid doing stuff we would be pissed if someone did to us.
if you still want to call it a rip off or direct copy you should rather say it`s a copy of real armour pieces .

 

[generulpoleaxe]

apart from the shield being slung on the back whilst your miniature carries it, it\'s an almost direct copy, inentional or not.

basing a piece on a historical subject is perfectly fine, gw\'s dwarves use the vikings as inspiration for their work.
your does as well, but your also looks virtualy identical to their piece.

if you removed the cast on glyphs from the shield as the over the top chunky runes is instantly recognisable as gw\'s style.
use small runes etc around the edge of the shield instead.
same with the axe, make the runes small and subtle.
remove the metal tips from the hair braids and you will have enough differances to be okay then.

i\'m only trying to help mate as i don\'t want to see you get into trouble

 

[Przemas]

@generulpoleaxe: as I`v said I`ve seen pic by Adrian Smith that is even more similar than the piece you`ve posted.
My point is that you can`t tell that we`ve copied the GW artwork as we haven`t seen it when we were working on a model.
The problem is we`ve used the same source of inspiration as GW did. GW haven`t invented this sort of armour and type of decoration. if you look at historical pieces you`ll find a true origin of those.
My mistake was to check out how GW`s models look without checking their artwork. when you compare only models our dwarf is different from GW dwarves.
I hope this won`t prove to be a trouble. As I`ve said I don`t want to break anyones copyrights exactly as I don`t want anyone to break mine .

edit: before I`ll be back home here are 2 examples I`ve just googled out:

 

[generulpoleaxe]

if you notice on the helmets, the runes are not raised up as much as gw raises their runes (big and chunky)

gw has an instantly recognisable style to their miniatures and artwork.
if you avoud using the big and chunky runes (make them more subtle, just like on the helmets,) then you will instantly avoid copywright problems.

same goes with the shield.

even though both draw influence from saxon and viking armour yours is mistakable for a gw piece, not seeing their artwork before your piece was finished does not stop you from being in breach of copywright.

i\'m just trying to help you here.