Wow, I had no idea. Shame Playmobil didn't ask permission, you'd think they would out of respect.
Hello,
Martin ...
It wasn't just out of "disrespect" ... As the
Abbot said, "In 1994 or 1995 they trademarked it and entered into a commercial agreement with Disney to merchandise toys ..." (and everything else). This meant that Horst would have had to pay a licensing fee to the RCMP through Disney Canada. I'm sure that Mr. Brandstätter remembered the Mountie "toy soldiers" of his youth (from several different manufacturers), so it probably never occurred to him that he might be infringing upon a trademarked property. (It would be much the same as making Playmobil French Foreign Legionaires, or Playmobil Swiss Vatican Guard, etc.) The "Mounties" were thought to be an historical and romantic public property like Cowboys and Indians, the American Civil War, the Conquistadores, the Pirates, etc.
So, when Horst learned that he had to pay a licensing fee, he was no doubt justifiably surprised. And, probably even a bit angered as I'm sure that the Disney Canada folks were not very warm and understanding. Then add to that Playmobil's policy of NEVER having a product that is licensed such as Lego with Star Wars, Harry Potter and now Indiana Jones.
The Playmobil Mountie was doomed! Which is a real shame, because I remembered the fun I had as a boy playing with my little Mountie "toy soldiers" made by that wonderful English firm ... W.Britains. I just feel that lots of young boys (and some girls) are going to miss out. And, so is the RCMP!
All the best,
Richard