Japanese publisher Koei Tecmo is taking action against unauthorised body pillow sales by independent sellers.
I’m sure you’re all aware that the Dead or Alive series is known for its, let’s say, attractive characters. However, its fighting franchise also happens to be a damn fine series of games that have been around since 1996. The last entry in the series was 2019's Dead or Alive 6 for PS4 and Xbox One.
Check out Koei Tecmo's upcoming samurai RPG Rise of the Ronin, developed by Team Ninja, below:
What’s more, there is also the Dead or Alive beach volleyball spin-off series. I think it’s fair to say that Tecmo Koei has capitalised on its target audience and as the creator and owner of the IP. However, the same can't be said for those that sell unofficial and unlicensed products on the back of the IP owner's name.
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As reported by Siliconera (via Famitsu), an example of recent unauthorised sales would be those related to the Dead or Alive body pillows. If you don't know what body pillows are, they’re kind of like long tube-shaped, life-sized pillows. Picture an elongated draft excluder used for doors with an image of Kasumi, and you get my drift.
Sales on the unauthorised cuddly body pillows are being tacked by Koei Tecmo under violations of copyright. The Dead or Alive body pillars, in Japan, called “dakimakura” or “hug pillows” were allegedly being sold by a seller who had 22 pillows and covers in their possession.
It is claimed that the seller had acquired the pillows online with the intent to resell them. It is claimed that a total of six characters from the Dead or Alive series were featured, some of which were modified to have items of clothing removed. In a statement, Koei Tecmo said that the unauthorised sale of the body pillows is “extremely malicious” and damaging to the brand.
Hopefully, in the coming months and years, we’ll be seeing less of the Dead of Alive body pillows, and instead, a return to form for the series that fans know and love.
Topics: Real Life