[translate]Hasbro has always had problems copyrighting the names of certain Transformers. Did you notice that some characters have been lost due to Legal Reasons. Examples like animated Sludge and Slag, possibly Hook Because how can you get hook trademarked. Can you think of any?[/translate]
Trademark issues have been a problem mostly as the rules were more lax in the 80's when most of the characters were named.
As for Sludge and Slag???? Sludge hasn't been part of Animated so I fail to see why you have named him. The reason that the character that should be named Slag is named Snarl has nothing to do with legal issues or copyright. They adopted the Snarl name for him as "Slag" in some parts of the world is used as a derogatory term for a woman.
Hook also has not been in Animated, but I assume you mention him as recent Constucticon releases feature Hightower instead. Is this copyright? Most likely. Remember a movie a while back about Peter Pan that had a toy line? It's name was Hook. Hence copyrights force a name change.
Any others to think of? how about every release that has had Autobot or Decepticon forced in front of it's name? Or the Robot Heroes Insecticons, featuring Kickback, Hardshell and Insecticon???