discussion Hornby tried to be naughty ...... caught and have to own up.

[Gary MacKenzie]

For several months there has been some speculation concerning the introduction of two Hornby train packs under the sub brand title of ‘Trains on Film’ which both featured, in one form or another the L&MR No.57 ‘Lion’ and associated rolling stock. The films concerned were ‘The Lady with a Lamp’ and ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’.
Hornby Hobbies Ltd. have decided to remove the two ‘Trains of Film’ packs from the Hornby 2022 product range and acknowledges and accept that Studiocanal own the licensing rights to the ‘Thunderbolt’ locomotive as depicted in the ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ film as well as Dan Taylor’s grounded carriage body. Hornby also acknowledges and accepts that Studiocanal own the title rights to the films ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ and ‘The Lady with a Lamp’.
Along with this, the Bedford Coach within the ‘Trains on Film’ category has also been cancelled.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Interesting Garry. I would think that Liverpool museum, as the owners, might have image copyright of the engine and stock, not the film company? However, as the engine is over 150 years old, and the stock over 90, the copyright is probably expired anyway.
The film company would have copyright of the film titles “titfield thunderbolt” and “The lady with the lump”, and the associated concepts, but to be honest, at seventy years old I would think the films won’t generate much in the way of interest anyway. In fact, in “lump” the engine is only used as background in one scene. If Hornby just marketed it as an LMR engine and stock they would probably generate as many sales without the associated hoo ha!

 

[Gary MacKenzie]

From internet sourced info: Another company had the right to produce. Hornby were told no. they went ahead anyway. Quite rightly the other company who paid for the licencing got a bit miffed.

https://rapidotrains.co.uk/the-titfield-thunderbolt-70th-anniversary-range/


https://rapidotrains.co.uk/a-statement-on-the-titfield-thunderbolt/

 

[Tim Marlow]

Yep, get that completely. Don’t see how anyone can copyright the stock though, just the association. It’s like the Bundeswher selling the license for the Tiger tank to Revell and nobody else being allowed to make it :tongue-out3:
By the way, if you are interested in trains, the very poor quality mock up of the Jones Goods on the Rapido web site looks like it’s been fitted with a crudely camouflaged Hornby (nee triang) Jinty chassis. Pots and kettles come to mind

 

[Gary MacKenzie]

Yep, get that completely. Don’t see how anyone can copyright the stock though, just the association. It’s like the Bundeswher selling the license for the Tiger tank to Revell and nobody else being allowed to make it :tongue-out3:
By the way, if you are interested in trains, the very poor quality mock up of the Jones Goods on the Rapido web site looks like it’s been fitted with a crudely camouflaged Hornby (nee triang) Jinty chassis. Pots and kettles come to mind

They have just mocked up adverts for plain versions of the models which they will now sell , but without the "titfield thunderbolt" colour scheme etc , and the Hornby fans on facebook are not amused.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Quite funny that they’ve gone for the 1930 replica stock to go with the engine. The only train you can actually make with it then is the centenary celebration. If they had called it L&MR stock not many punters would have noticed and it would have had broader appeal