Hi Gunn Team,
Thank you for your reply. I think your figures look great, and I own several of your WWII figures. I appreciate your fine products, but can't help but notice when it comes to your ancients there are many uncanny resemblances to Aeroart's figures. I mean it is really pronounced to me. I will provide photo examples, but first I would like to respond to some of the things you stated:
1) "if Aeroart use the same studio then I cannot comment on this"
Aeroart does not use a "studio" or singular production facility. Of course you know that your figures are not painted at the same location as Aeroart's, but I see what you're doing here.
2) "Saying that the human body only has so many ways of firing a rifle or throwing a spear and therefore in that respect there maybe some similarity"
I completely concur here, but it is not always the figure pose that are similar between TG and Aeroart but extends to some shield art, a given figure's attire, the colors chosen for such garments and accessories, and even some facial sculpts that at times draw a keen alikeness.
3) "I can pretty much guarantee that when we make a Templar Knight in the future he is going to look similar clothing and paint wise...."
I'm not talking about yet to be released and unseen Templar knights here but rather some of your current Romans, a Byzantine guard, Cypriot Marine, Egyptian Marine, Frederick Barbarossa, and Roman elephant (which appears to be modeled on the Russian Vityaz Roman elephant # PB220). These aren't figures clothed in a simple off-white cloak with a red cross on it.
4) "With regards to Aeroart several of their figures resemble model kits on offer from Pegaso"
If this is the case I would like to know which ones. Please provide examples if time permits.
5) "We have a Napoleonic figure coming out very soon based on a painting..."
I'm not talking about metal miniatures based on paintings. I'm talking about metal miniatures possibly based on another manufacturer's current metal miniatures. Maybe your sculptor does not always reveal his/her inspiration to you?
6) "Similarly if K&C or FL make the same figure later on we cannot complain they copied our design. After all if anybody has the copyright its the painter - who has long since died!"
I'm not trying to rake your over the coals, nor am I an expert in copyright infringement or even implying such. That is a subject only you chose to breach. All I'm saying is there are some strong and thus peculiar similarities between some of your figures and Aeroart's (and also Russian Vityaz in reference to your elephant). Perhaps it is merely coincidence. But I can say that I see no such striking cases of coincidence between the products of K & C, FL, WB, CS, etc and that of Aeroart's.
The question would have been asked sooner or later, and your response seems to reveal you had been expecting such a query to arise.
Some examples that caught my eye:
More photos to follow,
Joe