I'm not one to advertise the Evil Empire's products, but what I saw today on the old Magazine-Exchange website made me think that Topps couldn't have gotten a hold of their lawyers fast enough to get a restraining order or a cease and desist order (I'm not a lawyer, I don't know what actually applies here).
So Upper Deck has the rights to the O-Pee-Chee brand name. And it's bad enough that even before this newest development, their "UD Vintage" line first ripped off the 1963 Topps design, and then the 1971 design the following year (okay, close enough). Then this year, UD included an 50 card OPC insert set that looks similar (thank goodness not close to) the 1975 set. But this...THIS!!! This is just asking for a lawsuit.
So Upper Deck has the rights to the O-Pee-Chee brand name. And it's bad enough that even before this newest development, their "UD Vintage" line first ripped off the 1963 Topps design, and then the 1971 design the following year (okay, close enough). Then this year, UD included an 50 card OPC insert set that looks similar (thank goodness not close to) the 1975 set. But this...THIS!!! This is just asking for a lawsuit.
It was bad enough that the UD company took Topps' Allen & Ginter concept and turned it into Champs Hockey, but this takes the cake. Now the questions remain:
- Does Topps have a legitamate complaint here?
- Should Topps do something to stop this product from leaving the factories?
- Is this another way UD is getting back at Topps because of their failed attempt to buy the company?
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
