Lucario: (Got it, time to head back upstairs! )

The wheel is my first completely original design from Hongyi, hopefully no-one copies it! =P =^^=

This is true, PP, G&G and others actually make their designs through Jetcreations. Jets won't deal with individuals, only companies. So it makes prototypes expensive (But they will get one a much nicer prototype, plus a couple proof of concepts to bot) Overall costs are kept low by doing large batches, that is why they do the preorder thing, so they aren't left with a ton of leftover stock. (You figure ten units would come to thousands of dollars)

PP made a killing on ebay selling off their extras. I remember regularly seeing the huskies go to $1000. I think I had to wait five years before they finally reran the husky design...

With Hongyi one is dealing with the straight up manufacturer. Prototyping is still pricey, but once they have a design down, they have it ready to make on demand. Which is why one can order any of the models they make in any scale one wants 1m, 2m, 4m, even larger! (If you have the cash)

Fanart is one of those grey areas of copyright law. Technically, any artist who accepts a commission to draw a picture of a licensed character, and is reimbursed above operational expenses is in violation of copyright. They had a copyright attorney give a speech at Anthrocon a few years ago. It was enlightening. Theoretically, if copyright owners lashed out at everyone, they could probably stop a lot of stuff and shut a lot of things down, but it would have a negative backlash from the fanbase that might not be worth the associated bad press.

Nothing a little patching material won't fix.

And then she will try it again... =^^=

Good. Big toys look good covered in patches

Mission failed, we'll get em next time.

This is why she keeps a good supply of patches! =^^=