Post #395567 by JenTiki on Mon, Jul 21, 2008 3:10 PM

On 2008-07-21 13:55, TikiTres wrote:
There is another possible approach that may work even better- let the guy show up, set up his table and receive a public grilling from everyone that knows what he's up to. I'm sure he'll probably still make a few sales to people that don't know what's going on, but if enough people give him grief for what he's doing then he'll soon figure out that this isn't a problem he can just ignore and hope it goes away.

This is my plan as well. I have personally spoken to Otto, face-to-face, about doing this, and he is fine with it. If those of us in attendance can keep City Buddha from selling enough to cover his costs to vend (including vending fee, hotel room, airfare or gasoline), by boycotting him, and informing any potential customers of his practices, then we've won. Also, if he does show up with any of the pieces that have already been identified as unauthorized copies, Otto will shut him down, as his contract gives him the right to.

I don't think anyone here is ignoring the problem and certainly not condoning it. As the proud owner of two of Paipo's original pendants, and several of his resin copies, I am outraged that Larry Collins stole from Paipo, and the other artists he has copied. There are actions we can take without causing Otto, or any of the other event coordinators, any legal problems. Since Otto is contractually bound to provide a vending space for City Buddha, trying to buy out the space won't work, but making it difficult for him to make any sales will hit him where he lives. I say let the guy dig his own grave and see just how powerful we can be when one of our own is crossed. Let me be clear that I am not suggesting that anyone use physical force of any kind. I am only suggesting that there be a steady gathering of like-minded individuals in front of his booth, letting shoppers know about City Buddha's lack of business ethics. If he has been reading any of the posts about this subject, and has any dignity left, he would be smart to not even show up, in which case, Otto still gets to keep the vending fee City Buddha has already paid, and everybody wins.

--I see that Tama has posted in the time that I've been writing this post, so in response to this:

a friendly warning to TCers: Only hassle the guy if you know for sure that he is selling designs that you can identify as copied. No good muck-raking if he has left the relevant pieces at home - leaving them at home is what we want!

We know he has already tried to sell unauthorized copies at Hukilau (and may have succeeded). Whether or not he's stupid enough to bring those with him to Oasis is irrelevant from my point of view. City Buddha needs to experience a little Karma for what he has already done.