Jazwares will now have access to Owen Hart

[Deleted]

Such a cool thing. So happy to get more Owen Hart things, and thrilled it's going to benefit the Owen Hart foundation too.

Owen was by far the nicest wrestler I ever got to meet, and that includes Mick Foley, who is a gem to meet himself.

[Ministry of Darkness]

Sept 20, 2021 15:34:03 GMT -5 ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕋𝕠 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝 said:

Sept 20, 2021 14:56:50 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

I think every attire is on the table besides Blue Blazer. My question is will WWE stand in the way of any Owen Hart merchandise getting made?

I just wonder how they could. We are in sort of a unique situation where a wrestler died 20+ years ago and hasn't been copyrighted by the WWE since then, but now a new company has the rights to this person...but all of the attires most fans want were worn under the WWF umbrella. Its just something that I cannot relate to another situation and I can't picture how the WWE could persue legal action. 

A few comments ago, I found it reassuring that the 2004 Legends of Wrestling video game had a few WWF gears for Owen Hart, and they were able to put them in a video game without dealing with remifications. I don't see how the WWE could claim the rights to a black singlet with some pink lines and a heart on it; or a black singlet with caution tape; or a big "O.H." logo. 

Really the only thing I can see as a threat would be using anything that says "Hart Foundation" from 1997 or depicting the Slammy trophy in his 1996 gear. I know he wore them in the WWF on TV and such but I just don't think they can tell Jazzwares that they can't do something in this case.

I do wonder if Martha would have a problem, though. She sort of seems like she wants to totally eliminate the idea that Owen was in the WWF. Not to say this is right or wrong, but I could see a situation where perhaps Martha only wants his likeness used for non-WWF looks. I don't think she would budge on that if she felt that way, either. 

It wouldn't be a good look for WWE to stand in the way of proposed Owen Hart merchandise. The WWE contributed to his death and now doesn't want anyone to profit off his career which was in the WWF. Martha Hart will again use legal avenues against the WWE if illegal action is taken by the Vince.

[Biff Slamkovich™]

Sept 20, 2021 18:18:18 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

Sept 20, 2021 15:34:03 GMT -5 ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕋𝕠 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝 said:

I just wonder how they could. We are in sort of a unique situation where a wrestler died 20+ years ago and hasn't been copyrighted by the WWE since then, but now a new company has the rights to this person...but all of the attires most fans want were worn under the WWF umbrella. Its just something that I cannot relate to another situation and I can't picture how the WWE could persue legal action. 

A few comments ago, I found it reassuring that the 2004 Legends of Wrestling video game had a few WWF gears for Owen Hart, and they were able to put them in a video game without dealing with remifications. I don't see how the WWE could claim the rights to a black singlet with some pink lines and a heart on it; or a black singlet with caution tape; or a big "O.H." logo. 

Really the only thing I can see as a threat would be using anything that says "Hart Foundation" from 1997 or depicting the Slammy trophy in his 1996 gear. I know he wore them in the WWF on TV and such but I just don't think they can tell Jazzwares that they can't do something in this case.

I do wonder if Martha would have a problem, though. She sort of seems like she wants to totally eliminate the idea that Owen was in the WWF. Not to say this is right or wrong, but I could see a situation where perhaps Martha only wants his likeness used for non-WWF looks. I don't think she would budge on that if she felt that way, either. 

It wouldn't be a good look for WWE to stand in the way of proposed Owen Hart merchandise. The WWE contributed to his death and now doesn't want anyone to profit off his career which was in the WWF. Martha Hart will again use legal avenues against the WWE if legal action is taken by the Vince.

Based on the stuff WWE has done over the last couple of years with talent, it would not surprise me in the least to see them pull another scummy move.

[stc13]

There will be plenty of time to debate over what gear will/can be made and daydream over figure options. This has clearly been in the works for some time, and I figured it would happen sooner than later.

But it's still a really magical day to be a collector. Owen was such a defining part of the entire 90s, an amazing performer, and his death rocked every wrestling fan. It's been weird to have someone so integral to the era of wrestling many of us grew up on basically be out of sight and often out of mind. It's easy to forget just how good he was.

I'm beyond excited to have Owen as a part of my collection. I'm more excited to see his legacy and career honored both for his wrestling accomplishments and life outside the ring. I trust TK and company to do that legacy its (over)due. And I can't wait to see what Jeremy and team are able to produce for fans.

[Fighter Hayabusa]

If Owen’s attire is indeed their IP then Jazwares shouldn’t be using it and WWE has every right to sue. Just because he died a very tragic death doesn’t give AEW/Jazwares carte blanche to use imagery they do not have legal rights to.

[Thunder Chunky]

We have no indication that WWE looks are off the table. We have evidence that the opposite is true. Until then, I don't see why people keep saying his WWE looks are completely off the table.

[hb2k4life]

Sept 20, 2021 20:33:49 GMT -5 Fighter Hayabusa said:

If Owen’s attire is indeed their IP then Jazwares shouldn’t be using it and WWE has every right to sue. Just because he died a very tragic death doesn’t give AEW/Jazwares carte blanche to use imagery they do not have legal rights to.

The business man that Vince is, not only would he sue them, but he would force mattel to make a Jason Sensation version of Owen with a huge nose in his street sign outfit! (that would be a must buy if it ever happened)

[punksnotdead]

This is incredible news and I’m incredibly grateful to all involved. This is bigger than just a figure. It felt like a domino fell when we got those first two shirts and then that Micro Brawler. Owen was so special and I have all the faith in the world that AEW will honor him in the way he deserves.

I’m not concerned with his attire. Any Owen at all is must buy. I’m sure Jeremy will explore his limits on what can and can’t be done.

[SteveHulk]

Such great news! I'm looking forward to see what they come up with... at the very least, I'm hoping for a decent head/likeness for my Mattel customs 😁.

[Deleted]

Very much looking forward to any Owen figure that is produced. Hopefully one of the singlet looks from WWE if that is indeed possible.

I had one of the Owen Stomp figures in my old WCW figure fed, so to get an Owen in my AEW collection would be a really cool throw back for me as well.

[ztj_wwf]

If they wanted to do a 1996/7 attire without the Slammy logo, these could work.




I could see them doing a Wrestlemania X one with a KOTR 94 chase and perhaps the Danger singlet with an OH logo chase. I'd also like to see the Black Hart (black/orange/blue) singlet.

[skogen]

This is just fantastic news. AEW have shown their class in paying respect to legends of the business and I'm happy Martha Hart and the family recognised this. I can't wait for an Owen figure. Hopefully this leads to other legends getting on board.

[kinnikuman]

WWE would look like chumps for trying to sue/block any look of Owen that they "own". The blowback would be seen ... but as it is wrestling-related and toy-related it would me small and wouldn't hurt them at all. They would just have to decide if they want to be jerks.

[Fighter Hayabusa]

Going under the assumption his attires worn solely in WWF are the IP of WWE then they have no choice to sue if someone is using them without permission. If they don’t then they run the risk of losing the IP and setting a precedent for others to do the same.

[Ministry of Darkness]

I just don't understand how WWE could own someone's attire especially if it's there designs. Owen Hart was him and not a gimmik.

[Fighter Hayabusa]

Sept 21, 2021 20:33:39 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

I just don't understand how WWE could own someone's attire especially if it's there designs. Owen Hart was him and not a gimmik.

I view it as a character on a TV show. I’m sure Kramer’s wardrobe in protected under Seinfeld’s IP. Someone may be able to obtain Michael Richard’s likeness but if they make a figure of him specific to the look of his character on the show then Seinfeld is gonna sue. I’m sure WWE feels the same way. They consider themselves in the entertainment industry and their programming as episodic TV shows.

[crush]

Sept 21, 2021 20:33:39 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

I just don't understand how WWE could own someone's attire especially if it's there designs. Owen Hart was him and not a gimmik.

Conceivably, not saying they would it that they would win, if AEW made an Owen figures in an outfit that looks exactly as he appeared at for example KOTR 1994, WWE’s legal team could allege that AEW is attempting to profit off of WWE’s IP (the KOTR 1994 show). Now that would be a huge stretch, and as I said I don’t even know if WWE would win, but it may be the kind of smoke that AEW/Jazzwares wants to avoid entirely. That said, I’d be fine with the same look they did for the singlet Brawler.

[WCWThunderRosa]

Sept 21, 2021 20:33:39 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

I just don't understand how WWE could own someone's attire especially if it's there designs. Owen Hart was him and not a gimmik.

If they owned the logos they could. But I’m pretty sure Owen died before they started owning that sort of IP.

Regardless, Owen’s gear was in Legends of Wrestling with no issue so other than Slammy gear and the Blue Blazer outfit (which Martha would never approve being made anyway) they should have access to every attire he ever wore

[Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil)]

I personally would have no problem with a pink singlet with a design approved by Martha and Consulted on with Bret Hart as a “tribute attire” that evokes the spirit of his WWF attires but is within their legal right to manufacture. I understand people wanting accurate attires he actually wore but I feel like this is truly one of the most extraordinary circumstances in wrestling figure history so we need to support this as much as we can.

[Deleted]

Sept 21, 2021 20:33:39 GMT -5 Ministry of Darkness said:

I just don't understand how WWE could own someone's attire especially if it's there designs. Owen Hart was him and not a gimmik.

Yeah so IP is a really funny thing, especially in WWE it seems.

For example: Owen Hart was his name, used pre WWE say they can't say they own that. The attire is a "maybe" at this point, it just depends on who came up with the designs: Owen or WWE's designers/Vince at the time.

Example 2: prior to copywriting everything, Scott Hall left WWE - obviously he couldn't use the name or wear the gear as WWE came up with all of that. He also couldn't "act" like Razor Ramone, and WCW was sued shortly after his debut due to this.

With Owen, it's looking likely that various items are not owned by WWE [with the LOW game being the main example I think so far]. Plus then you have the whole "what are we actually looking at" - Example 3: the OH attire is just letters..........can they copywrite that? I dont think so. Can they copywrite basic "heart" shapes? Again probably not. You could potentially get King of Hearts attire, but not the crown/cape etc. Same with the heart foundation attire, but sans the slammys for obvious reasons

And if Owen/his family came up with all the designed himself - then he owns that hands down. My understanding is his wife owns his likeness and everything that came with that. 

Its a funny one - either way the best thing to do would be to just wait and see what we get I imagine.