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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!