Large Scale Central

This just in: Silvergate and Märklin settle

General Discussion
#1

According to FERPRESS

FERPRESS said:
LGB-Vertrieb für Märklin seit heute auch in den USA möglich: Einigung mit Silvergate (früher "LGBoA")!

Völlig überraschend haben sich die beiden bisherigen Kontrahenten Märklin, Göppingen, und die amerikanische Firma “Silvergate”, früher besser bekannt unter “LGB of America”, geeinigt. Ab sofort gehören alle Namensrechte, Lizenzen etc., die mit LGB in den USA zu tun haben, endgültig zu Märklin.

Damit ist der Weg nach langen vergeblichen Bemühungen für Märklin frei für einen unbeschränkten LGB-Vertrieb in Nordamerika. Dieser Überseemarkt ist für die internationale Gartenbahnszene sehr wichtig, da allein schon wegen der dortigen besseren klimatischen Verhältnisse mehr Möglichkeiten bestehen, das Modellbahnhobby auch im Freien zu betreiben.

Quelle : “FERPRESS - Internationale Eisenbahn-Presse-Vereinigung”


HJ translates:

HJ translates said:
As of today Märklin to distribute LGB in the USA: Agreement with Silvergate (former LGBoA)!

Märklin and Silvergate (former LGBoA) have come to an agreement. All trademarks and licences which have any connection with LGB in the USA are as of today the property of Märklin.

This clears the way for Märklin, after protracted efforts, to distribute LGB in the USA, free of encumbrances. This overseas market is of great importance for the international LargeScale scene, not least because of the climatic advantage which allows for more possibilties to enjoy the hobby in the outdoors.

Source: FERPRESS

#2

How big a check did Silvergate get?

-Brian

#3

Who knows, who cares? In any case, it’s one less thing to bitch about by the frazzled crowd.

#4

It just pays to wait it out sometimes.

#5

Wooo-Weee
I can’t wait for the repaints!

#6

I can :0

#7

So in other words now everyone can p_ss and moan to Märklin about parts, repairs, a website database, etc…
and Silvergate can get on with distributing PIKO.

#8
Brian Donovan said:
How big a check did Silvergate get?

-Brian


It wouldn’t surprise me to find out (a lot) less money changed hands than when LGB “transferred” the rights to LGBofA.

#9

Now the question is who will distribute the product and considering the current prices on the mostly Chinese made Euro prototype items in the black marketplace, who can actually afford to purchase the product? Of late, prices of $249.00 USD for a Chinese-made four-wheel boxcar seem a little rich when previously $249.00 could buy a German-made long coach with ball-bearing wheels and interior and lighting (and that was not a street price).

One might as well say that Mecedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce have been made available in the marketplace, as for many, the product is just too highly priced and Chinese made.

#10

Well that settles that, guess all that conjecture on just what LGBoA owned was just that, as I note that this didn’t end up in court, which if they had a strong case is where it would heve ended up at, and Marklin got everything, including the proverbial kitchen sink.

However, given Marklins huge :wink: presence here currently, I await to see just what makes it across on the inflatable raft to these shores…

I’m not holding my breath.

#11

Interesting. I hope that Marklin will eventually get some of LGB’s better stuff back into production and back onto the US market. But I’m not holding my breath.

#12
John Joseph Sauer said:
So in other words now everyone can p_ss and moan to Märklin about parts, repairs, a website database, etc...... and Silvergate can get on with distributing PIKO.
And everyone lived happily ever after, right? :P :) :P Did you order your PIKO starter set yet? :D
#13
Tim Brien said:
Now the question is who will distribute the product and considering the current prices on the mostly Chinese made Euro prototype items in the black marketplace, who can actually afford to purchase the product?
I would guess Walthers will be distributing in the US and it will be expensive. Just look at Walthers HO Marklin prices for a preview of what is coming. Ralph
#14
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
John Joseph Sauer said:
So in other words now everyone can p_ss and moan to Märklin about parts, repairs, a website database, etc...... and Silvergate can get on with distributing PIKO.
And everyone lived happily ever after, right? :P :) :P Did you order your PIKO starter set yet? :D
Yep! And my Tarp car, Railbus and Gondola as well! And now you can start ordering your Märklin/LGB products!
#15
Victor Smith said:
in court,
Märklin is in court. They are being sued by a past Lehmann employee. Looks like it might turn into a class action.

http://www.nn-online.de/artikel.asp?art=899631&kat=5&man=3

Victor Smith said:
Marklin got everything, including the proverbial kitchen sink.
funny, in court they are claiming they didn't get everything, since they didn't compensate the employees on their way out the door in March 2008.
#16

HJ-
Any additional input as to Walthers role with Marklin and large scale products?
There was nothing in their recent flyer per large scale.
Ralph Berg’s conclusion (above) as to any Walthers distribution exclusivity being a cost hazard makes sense if they use their flyers as the basis for selling LGB etc.

Wendell

#17

Jack,
past employees problems lay with Schontag, as he purchased a ‘going concern’. As Marklin purchased tooling and trademarks then hardly any legal requirement to satisfy past employees’ claims. If anyone has a moral obligation then look to your buddies. Strange how since 2007 they have fallen off the face of the earth and left the ringmaster and his clowns to clean up the mess. I believed that it was only LGBoA’s bid that guaranteed employment and continued production in Nurnberg. Even the ringmaster has abandoned ship and gotten on with his life. Maybe time the clowns followed their master’s example.

#18
Wendell Hanks said:
HJ- Any additional input as to Walthers role with Marklin and large scale products? There was nothing in their recent flyer per large scale. Ralph Berg's conclusion (above) as to any Walthers distribution exclusivity being a cost hazard makes sense if they use their flyers as the basis for selling LGB etc.

Wendell


Ahh…but there was G scale in the October issue of the Flyer. It was listed under Toys. They had two Bachmann Big Hauler sets and some New Bright items. They actually have a (HO) Marklin/Trix page in the Flyer. First time in a long time that they have featured anything from Marklin in the Flyer.
Ralph

#19

Tim,

I think you’re forgetting that Märklin continued at the Nürnberg location into march 2008. That’s one of the contentions in the lawsuit.

#20
Jack Barton said:
Victor Smith said:
in court,
Märklin is in court. They are being sued by a past Lehmann employee. Looks like it might turn into a class action.

http://www.nn-online.de/artikel.asp?art=899631&kat=5&man=3

Victor Smith said:
Marklin got everything, including the proverbial kitchen sink.
funny, in court they are claiming they didn't get everything, since they didn't compensate the employees on their way out the door in March 2008.
Are these US employees litigating any of this?, any Europe issues are just that, Europes issues. I was only referring to the long standing dispute over copyright and distribution rights issues with LGBoA here in the USA, and in that case, they apparently [i]did[/i] get everything.