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-Kanrabat- wrote:Also, I'd love to see a MP Hound.

That's what Alternators Hound is for.

Sabrblade wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Rated X wrote:What would happen if a fan were to apply for the trademark to a forgotten Transformer name and get it ? Could I sell it to anyone legally, even Fansproject ???

What sort of name are you referring to? There are certain names they can't get because they're either already owned by somebody else or too common a name to get a legal trademark for.

Hasbro already used "Autobot hound" in 2008. So Im guessing the copyrights expire every 4-5 years. So hypothettically, if I had inside information on the exact expiration date and submitted an application for trademark before Hasbro renewed, could I own the name "Autobot Hound" ??? And if I could own it, can I sell it to a 3rd party company ??? Imagine a 3rd party figure legally having the real name instead of something stupid like "Hegemon" or "Backfirey" ??? That would be awesome...

I mean, they can get "Autobot Hound", but not just "Hound". But, now I get what you're saying.

Besides, if you did get "Autobot Hound", Hasbro could get around it with a name like "Tracker Hound" or something.

Sure they could get "Tracker Hound" but imagine the look on Hasbro's faces if I-Gear made a MP Hound and legally named it "Autobot Hound" ??? Oh that would be priceless...

Throwing in a vote for these being related to Bot Shots, 2013 Generations, or S3 Prime related. Or just general renewal, or a mix of all of the above.

Vector Prime & Hound are most likely TFP. If you're into the novels, they're in there. Scattorshot might be WFC, but I'm hoping it's a G1 figure to go with the rest of the Technobots. Kickback might even be FOC, what with the recent revelation of Sharpshot (a name Hasbro has used in the past for Shrapnel if I'm not mistaken) However, it could very well be the name they decide to use for TFP "Insecticon" Strika could go well with Classics-verse Lugnut, and Wing Saber I'm really hoping is a first real attempt at an Americanized Star Saber. Blight will obviously be a new character, can't really count the original as anything but filler.

Or they could all just be renewing the names so they can use them two years later.

Burn wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Also, I'd love to see a MP Hound.

That's what Alternators Hound is for.

Yeah, you can bet your ass that I own him. (Got him brand new at a reasonable price too!)

Unfortunately, that dinky gun of his don'T cut it at all. I would so love a 3rd party company to make a weapon upgrade kit for him. I want my gaz tank, my motor thingy at the front, my hologram canon, my big jeep machine gun and my big-ass handgun. Plus a reprolabel kit to make him look more like G1.

Mkall wrote:

Galactic Prime wrote:Call him Hound, this stupid Autobot Hound Autobot Jazz crap is stupid.

Can't be done. Hound/Jazz/Tracks etc are too common to be trademarked.

I'm not holding out hope for any immediate releases, though a classics-verse Strika would be awesome.

I disagree, they were fine 25 years ago, they're fine today.

Galactic Prime wrote:

Mkall wrote:

Galactic Prime wrote:Call him Hound, this stupid Autobot Hound Autobot Jazz crap is stupid.

Can't be done. Hound/Jazz/Tracks etc are too common to be trademarked.

I'm not holding out hope for any immediate releases, though a classics-verse Strika would be awesome.

I disagree, they were fine 25 years ago, they're fine today.

Yeah...about that. Hasbro didn't trademark the names of every single character from G1 during G1. They just released the toys and didn't expect to reuse characters or names, not knowing that the characters and their names helped add to the popularity of the brand. When they did make new toys, like for Powermaster Optimus Prime and etc, THEN they applied for trademarks. Which is why that when they go back and try to get trademarks for names from G1 dudes, they might not be able to get it straight out. Poor Hot Rod hasn't BEEN Hot Rod in years, and that's because his name is too generic to trademark.

They actually can still release toys without trademarked names, but they want to have exclusive use of the names, and don't want to see legal action from other companies who have the use of the name.

Seen the terms "copyright" and "trademark" thrown back and forth on this string and thought I'd pass along a helpful link from the home office: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/index.jsp. In this case, we are talking trademarks.

As for trademarks themselves, "the registration is valid as long as you file all post registration maintenance documents. You must file a “Declaration of Use” between the fifth and sixth year following registration. In addition, you must file a combined “Declaration of Use and Application for Renewal” between the ninth and tenth year after registration, and every 10 years thereafter. If these documents are not timely filed, your registration will be cancelled and cannot be revived or reinstated. For more information see Maintain/Renew a Registration."

Depending on which names fell out of active use, it is often easier for Hasbro to register a new trademark such as "Autobot Hound" than attempt to regain use of an expired mark registered by another entity. The more generic the word is, the harder it is to trademark.

Cheers,
Daddycon

*Autobot Hound: Mindmaster approves.

*Kickback: Airachnid's lackey after "Crossfire"

*Blight: Decepticon tank?

*Nemesis Strika: Not going there...

*Scattorshot: Body based off of G1, but personality is similar to Cybertron. Or vice versa.

*Wing Saber: A-10 Warthog-like vehicle mode?

*Vector Prime: badass old geezer with a sword and Mini-con. YES!