Bootleg or KO Tfs?

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:51 pm

These two words mean the same when we refer to the toys (not original)or are there any differences between them?

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:26 pm

They're pretty much used interchangably. Originally, "bootleg" specifically implied that the toy sort of looked like a specific Transformer but was actually made from scratch by some other company, and "knock-off" meant that the toy was produced from a second generation mould illegally made directly from a Transformer toy. These terms are now used for all non-Hasbro/Takara Transformers, even when they're fully licensed.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:40 am

Hmm, we should create words to differentiate the two main categories of these non-official TFs - perhaps Knockoff should mean a toy that's based on or copied from an existing TF mold, and Bootleg should mean a non-offical TF toy that's an entirely new mold.

Btw I'm taking pics of some of my Knockoffs this weekend, Shaxper. Honest!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:26 am

As I understand it:

Knockoff: Uses an existing TF mold and changes the colors, alters the mold in some way, or otherwise changes an existing Transformers mold. It can also mean a toy that, though not sharing the same basic mold, is obviously similar to an existing character. The multi-colored Devastators, for example, are knockoffs.

Bootleg: Uses an existing TF mold and tries to immitate the original. The "new" MISB Optimus Primes and Cassettes on ebay are examples of these. Arguably, the Superion and Devastators could be, as well.