I saw that nanoblocks have a bunch of official Pokémon sets. Although I have no idea if they are official or not but they aren't cheap ($15). But Pokémon just sells their ip to almost everyone. Which can be a viable strategy, since whatever they make ends up turning a profit.
I know some of the cheaper unofficial sets are really plentiful here in Korea where they sell them in subways for like 3-5 bucks. They have every ip known haha including pokémon.
I think, much like video games, the more expensive collector's pieces are going to be more likely to be copied and see bootlegs released. I am guilty of grabbing a bootleg of a game or toy I wanted but could not see parting with $100+ for an original.
I think where the IP owners are messing up is by not licensing out "cheaper" versions once the initial agreement expires. Like Konami and the PC Engine Super CD-ROM version of Castlevania. That version gets $400+ on eBay, used. If I was Konami, I would be producing newer releases, or licensing it out to someone to do, and capitalizing on that interest in the game. They don't and I don't understand why.
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I know at least in Korea that ip's are basically meaningless. Fakes from China are plentiful and small businesses don't care.
Early last year the Korean government raided a illegal Pokémon stuffed animal ring. Leading to over 500,000 stuffed animals seized.
In Japan its a bit better but not much. Ip's in Asia aren't nearly as strong as they are in the United States. Which means companies here take advantage of that. Which could be a small reason why larger companies are a little more afraid to deal with cheaper manufacturers.
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Very much could be. Still, some money from a license getting a second life in the marketplace is better than no money from a license getting a second life in the marketplace. At least, I think so but I don't run a multimillion dollar company either. Lol
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