Are u saying Gavin that someone in Australia has stolen another manufacturers manufacturing parts and the other seller can't or won't sell that item because someone stole something ?

That's a big big call.

I think of two things instantly. IF that was true, the alleged person who is missing the manufacturing part could contact Police or go through the courts. You then abide by the decision made by the umpire so to speak.
Secondly, the person who allegedly is missing said part can replace it if he wanted by making/ordering another if he wanted to. If he wanted to sell that part & had the orders to justify tooling up with the original or the replacement.

There is no doubt that when many people have purchased containers full of pinballs or pinball parts etc, there have been other parties bidding on the same stuff but lost out due to being beaten by a better $ offer.
I know some people might feel upset at being outbid, but if anyone was to suggest the other party "stole" the deal or parts, that would not be reality.

It is unfortunate in many industries, competitors will say almost anything about their competitors to win favour.
It's not a practice I believe in.
I say just promote your own products to the best of your ability.

And I think the people who have stolen your Gottlieb licences products have done the wrong thing Gavin.