R2D2 hero dome from ROTJ on eBay
- Thread starter IronFist
- Start date
JediG60racer
Sr Member
No statute of limitations on stolen goods. There's a court case going on right now about something very similar. Some coins (double eagles) were stolen from the US Mint in 1913, ended up in the hands of private collections. A collector recently sent two to the US Mint to have their authenticity verified, and the Mint said "yup they're real" and kept them, because they were stolen in the first place. Doh. So far the courts have agreed with the Mint that stolen goods should be returned to the proper owner, and the possessor of stolen goods is just hosed.
PHArchivist
Master Member
I just wonder how many other genuine Star Wars props and other items may actually fall into this category... There are some pretty significant items out there from the films with eye-brow rasing stories as to how they got into the public domain...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(idroid @ Dec 22 2006, 04:37 PM) [snapback]1383180[/snapback]</div>
I was watching the action live on-line and I think they skipped the R2 dome. They do this on 3 or 4 items every auction when the authenticity or ownership comes into question.
I was watching the action live on-line and I think they skipped the R2 dome. They do this on 3 or 4 items every auction when the authenticity or ownership comes into question.
bigbaddaddyvader
Well-Known Member
Since when do PIH care so much about questioned authenticity?We all know of lots of items that have been sold through profiles after they have been notified of their questionable originality and authenticity and disregarded such valid concerns in the name of profit.
GeneralMayhem
Sr Member
Guess Lucasfilm put the screws on and made them care.
lol
lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PHArchivist @ Dec 23 2006, 02:09 PM) [snapback]1383586[/snapback]</div>
I'm no lawyer but there is such a concept as "abandoned property". If an item had been left behind or discarded or otherwise ignored for years on end, the original owner has a weaker case if they want to claim it later. The "rubbish bin" story would fall under this category. Some have said that story isn't true, though. I wouldn't know.
I'm no lawyer but there is such a concept as "abandoned property". If an item had been left behind or discarded or otherwise ignored for years on end, the original owner has a weaker case if they want to claim it later. The "rubbish bin" story would fall under this category. Some have said that story isn't true, though. I wouldn't know.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bigbaddaddyvader @ Dec 23 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]1383621[/snapback]</div>
You are correct, they do love their profit, but sometimes when the un-original cry is loud enough, and from what they consider a credadible source, they will pull the item.
I'm glad that pulled the dome but am a bit surprised the 3PO wasn't also pulled. Interesting.
BrianM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Treadwell @ Dec 23 2006, 10:06 PM) [snapback]1383823[/snapback]</div>
I'm no lawyer but there is such a concept as "abandoned property". If an item had been left behind or discarded or otherwise ignored for years on end, the original owner has a weaker case if they want to claim it later. The "rubbish bin" story would fall under this category. Some have said that story isn't true, though. I wouldn't know.
[/b][/quote]
This is interesting as some of us old-timers used to spend so much time in ILM dumpsters they had to lock them up.
I think this R2 was in England when t was "recovered" so the laws may be different but here in California trash is public domain. HOWEVER I know here that dumpster companies (private once not public) are claiming that stuff in their dumpsters is their property.
It's all mute however since LFL claims they never tossed that dome out in the first place.
BrianM
You are correct, they do love their profit, but sometimes when the un-original cry is loud enough, and from what they consider a credadible source, they will pull the item.
I'm glad that pulled the dome but am a bit surprised the 3PO wasn't also pulled. Interesting.
BrianM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Treadwell @ Dec 23 2006, 10:06 PM) [snapback]1383823[/snapback]</div>
I'm no lawyer but there is such a concept as "abandoned property". If an item had been left behind or discarded or otherwise ignored for years on end, the original owner has a weaker case if they want to claim it later. The "rubbish bin" story would fall under this category. Some have said that story isn't true, though. I wouldn't know.
[/b][/quote]
This is interesting as some of us old-timers used to spend so much time in ILM dumpsters they had to lock them up.
I think this R2 was in England when t was "recovered" so the laws may be different but here in California trash is public domain. HOWEVER I know here that dumpster companies (private once not public) are claiming that stuff in their dumpsters is their property.
It's all mute however since LFL claims they never tossed that dome out in the first place.
BrianM
PHArchivist
Master Member
This is just my opinion...
But my opinion is that PiH will pull an item if THEY have confirmed its not authentic or is otherwise illegitimate. It there are merely cries from the peanut gallery that are rumor or unconfirmed, I believe (again -- my opinion) they would likely not pull it (until or unless they have confirmed the questions) and stand by thir disclaimers.
Remember -- PiH does not assert or attest to authenticity. They are merely a broker or turn-around agent for other people's property. There legal disclaimers state this. Basically, with PiH, its Buyer Beware.
There is no such thing as a Profiles In History Certificate of Authenticity, because (unlike The Propstore of London). they do not absolutely certify that their auctions are authentic.
But my opinion is that PiH will pull an item if THEY have confirmed its not authentic or is otherwise illegitimate. It there are merely cries from the peanut gallery that are rumor or unconfirmed, I believe (again -- my opinion) they would likely not pull it (until or unless they have confirmed the questions) and stand by thir disclaimers.
Remember -- PiH does not assert or attest to authenticity. They are merely a broker or turn-around agent for other people's property. There legal disclaimers state this. Basically, with PiH, its Buyer Beware.
There is no such thing as a Profiles In History Certificate of Authenticity, because (unlike The Propstore of London). they do not absolutely certify that their auctions are authentic.
bigbaddaddyvader
Well-Known Member
I don't believe that PIH give one hoot about doing any of their own research into a piece even when a credible source,and not just the clamouring prop world,notify them of a legitimate concern.Even with their disclaimers I believe,with the HUGE buyer's premium they attach,they should (at the very least on a moral level) have some sort of accountability to what essentially boils down to fraud.Yes buyer beware is absolutely correct and there are fewer truisms in the prop business but the level of irresponsibility that PIH display in many of their auctions is appalling.Sooner or later they must be held responsible for the items they sell.
Also just my opinion though.
Also just my opinion though.
PHArchivist
Master Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bigbaddaddyvader @ Dec 24 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]1384086[/snapback]</div>
Respectable, at that...
It's a slippery slope, no doubt...
Also just my opinion though.
[/b]
Respectable, at that...
It's a slippery slope, no doubt...
OldKen
Master Member
there have been a fair ammount of props stolen from SW sets... ep1 was prob the worst. i know for a fact that there were people in the prop dept. that stayed some late ours... making props... cause you know you gotta have damage control right? i mean if a few dozen R2 pieces randomly get broken... you gotta make backups... right?
dont ask how i know.
but its the truth.
i know a guy who was tempted. but didnt take a full battle droid static prop... he knew he could and wouldnt be expected... but knew it was wrong... and was a HUGE and STUPID risk.
no i dont know who stole the R2 head, but yes i do know that some EXTRA R2 pieces made it outa there.
ive already said to much... but ive drank alot of christmas cheer the past 2 days... F-it.
but hey, like it or not, if shady stuff didnt happen, we wouldnt have as accurate of certain things...
but hey... its always all a "mystery" right?
dont ask how i know.
but its the truth.
i know a guy who was tempted. but didnt take a full battle droid static prop... he knew he could and wouldnt be expected... but knew it was wrong... and was a HUGE and STUPID risk.
no i dont know who stole the R2 head, but yes i do know that some EXTRA R2 pieces made it outa there.
ive already said to much... but ive drank alot of christmas cheer the past 2 days... F-it.
but hey, like it or not, if shady stuff didnt happen, we wouldnt have as accurate of certain things...
but hey... its always all a "mystery" right?
Darth Kahnt
Sr Member
That would have been very morally wrong. I'm glad he decided to pass it up, shows us that there are still some good people left in this world.
Similar threads
