Sunday, February 3, 2008

"But, Mom. I didn't know it was illegal!"

To celebrate 10 years of making spy toys, Wild Planet is redesigning the Spy Gear brand look and logo, upgrading its most popular items, introducing 10 new products and releasing the first Spy Gear board games.

"We attribute Spy Gear's success to our ability to incorporate advanced, real-world technology into old-fashioned, classic play," says Daniel Grossman, CEO and founder of Wild Planet.

"Pretending to be a spy is not a new idea," explains Grossman, "but having a real, working remote-controlled spy vehicle that transmits video and audio back to a private headset -- that's a new way to play spy."

The Spy Video ATV-360 is one of the new Spy Gear releases scheduled for fall 2008. A follow-up to the brand's original Spy Video Car launched in 2006, the Spy Video ATV-360 will be the first remote-controlled Spy Gear vehicle to offer video and audio transmission, full-circle spin control, and tank tracks for a mass retail price of $99. (more)

Dan, Wild Planet really needs to re-think this one - at least for U.S. sales. Federal and state laws prohibiting electronic audio spying have been on the books here since 1968.

Idea: Hire an attorney or security consultant - who specializes in electronic surveillance matters - avoid a costly recall and lawsuits.