Is MadBull's announcement of Operation Copycat something that the global airsoft community should just let pass, since legally, the companies that are acting in proxy to enforce such licences of the real intellectual property owners of the various  products and trademarks being produced for the airsoft market should be doing what is expected of them. They need to show that such IPs are protected, and at the same time help in the bottom line for themselves and for the companies they represent?

It is indeed another saga in the history of airsoft, as it is turning into an industry where real money can be. As before, airsoft was neglected by the real steel manufacturers being, only some companies that have the foresight that it will be bigger stand to benefit from it. As far as we all know, those who hold the trademarks and designs, will stand the benefit. And right now, we are seeing the airsoft market being dominated by 3 to 4 companies, in terms of licencing.

We still need to see in the near future the implications of these developments. Tim Elwood of No Airsoft for Old Men sees it as the suits taking over airsoft, and for Thumpy, the skirmishes will be in the courtrooms, not at airsoft game sites.  However, we have to look at ourselves too as we demand replicas of the real deal products being used in armed forces and law enforcement agencies worldwide. We do not want to pay top dollar to use the products and depend on knock-offs to support our hobby, which in the end these knock-offs are now seeping into real world use, affecting the reputations of the real owners of the real deal products.

Let's start the debate now. As much as we want to protect our hobby from the "suits" intent of milking the cow or kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, we have to create alternatives and options that will be a win-win for everyone. There are real livelihoods at stake here, but they makers or knock-offs, or those innovating for the military, police, and outer civilian sectors.

Popular Airsoft intends to help in the guidance of such and Tim and Thumpy are now taking lead to. We all do enjoin the rest of the airsoft communities worldwide to help resolve such issues and do it in a mature and responsible manner.