Toyo R888 deformation

[Marke]

Friend of mine bought some new (never mounted w/stickers) Toyo R888's not that long ago. He has never used them on the track and he has street driven them very little. (they look brand new)

After he took them off he noticed the inside shoulder looked deformed, 2 of the 4. Best way to describe it is that it looks like some one tried to pull the side wall out from under the thread in random places around the tires (not uniform). In some places where it is really bad the rubber is splitting in a perfect line where the tread and side wall meet.

He contacted Toyo and after he gave them the serial number off the tires they said the tires were 2007 and were degrading. Told him he was out of luck. I have seen old r-comps before and they usually get hard. I am inclined to think they are defective.

Any input or similar experience with these tires?