Branded vs. Unbranded

[Northwest29]

Hello all -

Would someone kindly explain why some kickstarter rewards offer both branded and unbranded decks. Besides the obvious, what are the significant differences from a collectors point of view? Thanks again from the newbie -

[bhong]

Hello all -

Would someone kindly explain why some kickstarter rewards offer both branded and unbranded decks. Besides the obvious, what are the significant differences from a collectors point of view? Thanks again from the newbie -

Whether there is a difference besides the tuckcase for the deck depends on the Kickstarter campaign. But more often than not, the cards tend to be exactly the same while the tuckcase will have one that's branded with the "Bicycle" logo while another is either branded with the deck designer/artist/company. So the branded/unbranded tends to refer to whether the tuckcase is "Bicycle" branded or not.

There's a lot of playing card collector out there that exclusively collect Bicycle decks as Bicycle has had a long history to them. So sometimes the Bicycle branded is a way to appeal to more people. For the collector's POV, it does vary. Sometimes either Branded or Unbranded will have a smaller print run so it's more valuable. For example, Jackson Robinson had an exclusive 1000 deck run of Unbranded Black Reserve Note while he created a Bicycle Branded Black Reserve Note that has a run of 1500.

[Northwest29]

Thank you very much for overview extremely helpful!

Ron

[bhong]

You're welcome, but glad I could help. We all start somewhere with our collection.

The other point I wanted to add is that sometimes have that Bicycle logo can look pretty cool. One of my favourite decks is the Sliver Certificate deck by Kings Wild and that Branded one with the silver foil Bicycle just looks really really sweet.

[publius]

I don't know if this has anything to do with the specific question, but I do know that USPCC has now banned the use of any of their logos in Kickstarter campaigns. Any Bicycle decks on Kickstarter have to be unbranded as far as imagery anyway. So I think the strategy is to launch your KS as unbranded in order to comply with USPCC's legal requirements, but then make mention of and also promote the branded decks. This info was straight out of the custom deck packet I received from USPCC the other day.

[Don Boyer]

I don't know if this has anything to do with the specific question, but I do know that USPCC has now banned the use of any of their logos in Kickstarter campaigns. Any Bicycle decks on Kickstarter have to be unbranded as far as imagery anyway. So I think the strategy is to launch your KS as unbranded in order to comply with USPCC's legal requirements, but then make mention of and also promote the branded decks. This info was straight out of the custom deck packet I received from USPCC the other day.

It's not directly related to the question, but it's important information to know.  It would seem odd, but I'm betting they got tired of seeing so many failed deck projects with hideous designs and the Bicycle name on them appearing when people searched for Bicycle playing cards at a search site.

As far as Branded vs. Unbranded, it does relate directly to the "Bicycle brand only" segment of the card collector market, though some are starting to experience a bit of hesitation after seeing the Bicycle name on so many really terrible decks - too many clunkers, not enough gems.  It makes them rethink the idea of collecting every single deck released under the brand name.  As far as the designer is concerned, it's a great way to pick up some extra pledge cash from all these completists who want every single variant of every deck they make.  Personally, I've started to see it as "deck fatigue", where a project that started innocently as one or two decks suddenly explodes and has a half-dozen or more designs - double that if each comes in Bicycle-branded and unbranded editions.

[Marcus]

It's not directly related to the question, but it's important information to know.  It would seem odd, but I'm betting they got tired of seeing so many failed deck projects with hideous designs and the Bicycle name on them appearing when people searched for Bicycle playing cards at a search site.

I'd say it's probably more to do with avoiding having their Bicycle brand diluted. Same as with their legal team banning any gaff cards that changed their back design. If they allow anyone to use their Bicycle logo freely on a Kickstarter campaign without having it cleared all the way through legal with the whole finished design they're setting themselves up to lose the next time they try to claim trademark infringement against someone.

[Don Boyer]

It's not directly related to the question, but it's important information to know.  It would seem odd, but I'm betting they got tired of seeing so many failed deck projects with hideous designs and the Bicycle name on them appearing when people searched for Bicycle playing cards at a search site.

I'd say it's probably more to do with avoiding having their Bicycle brand diluted. Same as with their legal team banning any gaff cards that changed their back design. If they allow anyone to use their Bicycle logo freely on a Kickstarter campaign without having it cleared all the way through legal with the whole finished design they're setting themselves up to lose the next time they try to claim trademark infringement against someone.

The title-legal thing I can dig.  But the back design was something different, I believe.  The copyrights expired on the classic backs so they try protecting them under trademark law - you can't dilute a trademark by allowing alterations without weakening your legal protection of it.

Actually, come to think of it, that would also apply to the Bicycle brand name and logo...

[sprouts1115]

@Northwest29 - Nowadays, branded means about .75 more per deck from the USPCC.  From the USPCC, you can get two kinds of stock. (Bike, or aka as Aristocrat) and Bee.  Bee is a little thicker and more expensive also it has a 5000 minimum order. You can even get a deck with Bee stock and call it "Bicycle"  Which always seemed to me a bit perplexing. Oh well, What is most important on the box is who made the deck.  It should show the Manufacture and secondary the year with the stock and finish.  If you see the word "Bicycle" on the front, that is where your .75 went too. Poof.  Just like Magic, but you know who made the deck....