"How is it that we have reproduced the pith helmet?" First, it was not made by Playmobil. Second, the company that made it is no longer in business. And, third, we made one and presented it to Mr. Brandstätter.
I know that this is not the answer that you wanted to your question, Cheng. But, we are all happy to help you in any way that we can.
Richard
Thanks for your very comprehensive advice to us all, Richard!
Yes, we must get our ethics & practice correct, as proud customisers

i think fact #2 that the company is no longer around sounds reasonable....but lets not rely on reason #3(without #2

) ...he'll thank you and then sue your playmo pants off

i subscribe to proprietry rights
....we have members who casted roman and picklebarb(?) helmets for their private use but it could be ok to exchange them, again for limited private use(any lawyers here?

i'll be complelled to define these terms

)
...can someone ask Mr. Brandstätter, for the love of us playmo worshippers

to turn a blind eye towards reproductions of discontinued parts? but then it may open a flood gate for commercialisation even if GB never need to relaunch those parts....guess i answered this myself

lastly...maybe i used the wrong word(i used "we" for the many members i see asking for things like that);
as for me, i dont think i can ever use a casted & painted helmet
...i'll rather use non-playmo parts...(but factory-finished and playmo quality

)
....somehow, putting on a (maybe not removable!) painted helmet(with casting,some non-unidirectional indentations/protruding details cant be reproduced) makes my klicky scringe
...i change my customs(my mostly reversible armies) whenever i'm bored

anyway i'm too far for trade/postal services even if i desperately need pith helmets someday
....i can wait for playmo if it takes forever(just like i am now doing for Romans if its not 2006

)
hope i have not unintentionally offended anyone!
do give me a piece of your mind if i did!
good day all!