A way to get around licensing?

[CapSat 6]

To the point that a "get-over" kit might be made, by rearranging or repurposing the graphics: sure- it can and has been done. I don't think Round 2 will ever do it for these subjects, however, for the following reasons:

1) one of Round 2's specialties is to get actual licensing and market those licensed products. It might be looked at as damaging to their brand if they decide to do an end run around a license that they used to have but no longer have. It might be perceived as unsavory to potential future licensing partners (including Warner Brothers, with whom Round 2 might have other deals in place for other properties, such as the Looney Tunes characters - Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, etc., and who in future might decide to allow licenses for Dukes stuff again). In short- they won't want to burn any potential partners. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

2) Warners dropped the licenses just as the latest controversy with the "Stars and Bars" played out. Right or wrong (I won't render judgment on that issue), Round 2 still might not want to tie themselves to that controversy (right or wrong) just yet.  

3) While the car model hobby has shrunk, Round 2 still does depend on what their largest buyers (hobby and chain stores) will accept, so refer again to #'s 1 and 2 above- for those reasons, they might not see the way to being able to making something marketable out of the "end-run" product to their pre-order buyers.    

All hope is not lost, though:

1) Warners and Round 2 could always decide to renew these licenses. They might have to change the packaging and graphics a little bit to de-emphasize certain elements, but both parties might see the value in going back to this particular well in regards to these items at some point in the future.

2) The decals needed for a General Lee build are available new from Slixx. Also, besides the numerous Lee releases available over the past 35 years (I dare you to try to not find one at your next model swap meet :)), Revell spoofed these graphics with their original release of their '69 Charger kit around 25 years ago- complete with Battle Flag decal. I probably have 3 sets of those decals in my stash. I don't think General Lee graphics will ever dry up.

3) Round 2 has already released the snap General Lee twice after the license expired, once as the "City Slicker", and once with Coca-Cola branding. It is essentially the same kit, but with different graphics. They also released the glue Lee as the "Country Charger"- again spoofing the decals of the original Lee (same numbers, like you say above). The Monaco police car has been put out twice since, first as the Joker/ Gotham car, then just recently as a California Highway Patrol car, now with improved parts. The crew at Round 2 are absolute masters at leveraging licensing.  

4) eventually, Round 2 will realize that they can use that glue tool with different licenses: how about a "Death Proof" Charger (you probably get everything you need to build one right in any Lee box), or, by adding some of the custom parts from their Daytona and 500 releases back in- how about a "Ghost Rider/ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Charger? I could use a few more boxes for the collection- and those were two very cool movie/ T.V. cars!

5) The Jeep could easily be released as you say above- just be careful what you wish for- it's not entirely correct for Daisy's Jeep in 1:1. The roll bar isn't the right style, and, I'm not 100% sure about this, but, I think Daisy's was a 1978-ish CJ-7, while that kit is a '60's-ish CJ-5 that has been sort-of updated over the years. Still, that would sell, because- Jeep!

6) Cooter's pickup- yes, we would all like to see that one come back. Again- the first one was not entirely accurate. It used the tow bed and parts from MPC's 1969-ish annual kit, which is REALLY toy-like. I think there is a hot rumor that the pickup is returning as the Racer's Wedge later this year. They could probably still do a Cooter's release much like the original and sell a ton of them.          

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by CapSat 6
More to say

[CapSat 6]

Another thought I had in regards to the Daisy Jeep...AMT did a snap CJ-7 at one point. If the AMT snap tool can be used, maybe running that one with near-Daisy graphics might be worth their while. It might end up being a more accurate representation of Daisy's Jeep.    

That release would definitely fit in with their "run the same tools with new graphics" strategy- they could offer 3 sets of stock graphics, each in different colors...and a white with gold Jeep on the box somewhere.

It would be the best release to "fly under the radar" as an unofficial Dukes release...as a Jeep CJ-7 is just a Jeep CJ-7. I would like to have one of these just because it would make a nice CJ-7 in 1/25 scale. Actually, I'd buy two and try to make a Scrambler out of them.   

Edited January 8, 2020 by CapSat 6

[Mike999]

1 hour ago, Atmobil said:

Not to long ago I ordered these photoetch air-conditioners (that is my day-to-day work so I thought it could be quite funny to have some small scale once) and looks what they have done with the logos on the decal sheet:

Thanks, those would look great in the bed of a work truck. Will have to track some down. As for the brand names, Chinese companies have done that for years in 1/35 scale military kits.  For example, tires marked "Continentau."  A quick flick of the hobby knife, and they turn into their real name, "Continental."  

Along with its non-Land Rovers, a few years ago Italeri released a generic "Armed Pickup."  Which was the old ESCI Toyota BJ-44. At least they didn't remove anything from the actual kit. It still has the "Toyota" letters in the grille, "Land Cruiser" hood emblems, and even the small "4x4" badge on the rear. 

[Atmobil]

1 hour ago, Mike999 said:

Thanks, those would look great in the bed of a work truck. Will have to track some down. As for the brand names, Chinese companies have done that for years in 1/35 scale military kits.  For example, tires marked "Continentau."  A quick flick of the hobby knife, and they turn into their real name, "Continental."  

Along with its non-Land Rovers, a few years ago Italeri released a generic "Armed Pickup."  Which was the old ESCI Toyota BJ-44. At least they didn't remove anything from the actual kit. It still has the "Toyota" letters in the grille, "Land Cruiser" hood emblems, and even the small "4x4" badge on the rear. 

Yes, the Armed Pickup. I knew I forgot about one, I do have that kit on the shelf.
I bought the airconditioners at Hobby Search
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=112&cat=&state=&sold=0&sortid=0&searchkey=FMDiorama
Sadly, they are sold out at the moment. FMDiorama looks to have several other cool diorama items aswell.

[Classicgas]

General Lee decals are also available from Speedway decals. I have a set I may be willing to part with. Pm me if interested.