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metalformer wrote:*Sigh*
Somebody should make custom stickers for these packages (ala ReproLabel) to "correct" these "injustices" and restore its G1 Glory!

Reprolabels for a box ??? Are you serious ??? (no offense)

I already got a nice place in my closet picked out for Runabout’s box. And yes I said “Runabout”.

It’s s**t like this that proves just how stupid copyrights really are under certain circumstances. Hasbro doesn’t even own the rights to the names of characters they created ??? WTF ??? There should be a law that a copyright has to be renewed every 5 years or it expires and is free for the taking. This would keep the names belonging to legitimate businesses and not copyright hoarders who buy rights when a franchise is about to go bankrupt. Does anyone know where the owner of the name “Runabout” is right now ??? He might be living under a highway sipping a bottle of cheap booze…

Rated X wrote:

metalformer wrote:*Sigh*
Somebody should make custom stickers for these packages (ala ReproLabel) to "correct" these "injustices" and restore its G1 Glory!

Reprolabels for a box ??? Are you serious ??? (no offense)

I already got a nice place in my closet picked out for Runabout’s box. And yes I said “Runabout”.

It’s s**t like this that proves just how stupid copyrights really are under certain circumstances. Hasbro doesn’t even own the rights to the names of characters they created ??? WTF ??? There should be a law that a copyright has to be renewed every 5 years or it expires and is free for the taking. This would keep the names belonging to legitimate businesses and not copyright hoarders who buy rights when a franchise is about to go bankrupt. Does anyone know where the owner of the name “Runabout” is right now ??? He might be living under a highway sipping a bottle of cheap booze…

Yeah, copyright for stuff expires after time. Also, runabout seems a too generic name. Now you cant copyright too generic terms... like Jazz, or Ratchet, and Brawl.

So hasbro has to go with an alternative... although, they should have just done "Decepticon Runabout".

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Trademarks have to be registered first, then Hasbro needs to file reports on usage. All of that takes time, but reporting usage of a name already in possession is quickly done.
Also, registering new names costs quite a bit of money, so again Hasbro has made it a sport to re-use names they already have. "Breakaway" instead of "Getaway" and "Over-Run" instead of "Spastic" come to mind.

Spastic actually made the copyright. The boxes here still say "Spastic". The change with Over-Run was due to some people finding "spastic" offensive, so hasbro printed new stickers for the packaging to cover up the existing name .

gavinfuzzy wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Trademarks have to be registered first, then Hasbro needs to file reports on usage. All of that takes time, but reporting usage of a name already in possession is quickly done.
Also, registering new names costs quite a bit of money, so again Hasbro has made it a sport to re-use names they already have. "Breakaway" instead of "Getaway" and "Over-Run" instead of "Spastic" come to mind.

Spastic actually made the copyright. The boxes here still say "Spastic". The change with Over-Run was due to some people finding "spastic" offensive, so hasbro printed new stickers for the packaging to cover up the existing name .

Damn, I never found Spastic. I wanted him just for the box to put it next to my HA Jazz with tobacco and gambling being advertised in the background.

That whole spastic thread was bluddy funny !!!

Rated X wrote:
It’s s**t like this that proves just how stupid copyrights really are under certain circumstances. Hasbro doesn’t even own the rights to the names of characters they created ??? WTF ??? There should be a law that a copyright has to be renewed every 5 years or it expires and is free for the taking. This would keep the names belonging to legitimate businesses and not copyright hoarders who buy rights when a franchise is about to go bankrupt. Does anyone know where the owner of the name “Runabout” is right now ??? He might be living under a highway sipping a bottle of cheap booze…

Just to be clear: Copyright is NOT the same as Trademarks. A rant on Copyright doesn't apply here.

Trademarks protect signs or indicators(such as a name) that identifies products or services.

Copyright protects THINGS(such as an actual figure by protecting the rights to reproduce it exactly or a book by protecting the exact words and rights to reproduce it).

Runabout as a name falls under trademark, NOT copyright.

Trademarks MUST be lawfully used to be retained. If not actively used, it will be lost(usually after 5 years). If Hasbro doesn't have the trademark, it's their own fault for not using it for x number of years.

Midnight_Fox wrote:

Rated X wrote:
It’s s**t like this that proves just how stupid copyrights really are under certain circumstances. Hasbro doesn’t even own the rights to the names of characters they created ??? WTF ??? There should be a law that a copyright has to be renewed every 5 years or it expires and is free for the taking. This would keep the names belonging to legitimate businesses and not copyright hoarders who buy rights when a franchise is about to go bankrupt. Does anyone know where the owner of the name “Runabout” is right now ??? He might be living under a highway sipping a bottle of cheap booze…

Just to be clear: Copyright is NOT the same as Trademarks. A rant on Copyright doesn't apply here.

Trademarks protect signs or indicators(such as a name) that identifies products or services.

Copyright protects THINGS(such as an actual figure by protecting the rights to reproduce it exactly or a book by protecting the exact words and rights to reproduce it).

Runabout as a name falls under trademark, NOT copyright.

Trademarks MUST be lawfully used to be retained. If not actively used, it will be lost(usually after 5 years). If Hasbro doesn't have the trademark, it's their own fault for not using it for x number of years.

Well if that’s the case, take my last post and remove the word “copyright” and replace it with the word “trademark”. Then re-read it.

I’m not trying to be rude, but the correct terminology is not my focus. I’m focusing on the concept that the name “Runabout” is 25 years old and it doesn’t matter who uses it now unless they are using it for another transformable robot. If the new “trademark” holder is using the name “Runabout” for a vacuum cleaner, there should be no case in any court of law. The reason being that nobody is going to mistake a vacuum cleaner for a transformable robot therefore neither company can claim damages. Case dismissed.

All this other legal drama is a bunch of BS.

Demand for Runabout seems to be high, G2 Ramjet high. They better have way more stock this year, or a 2nd release, like with CPC.

Rated X wrote:
Well if that’s the case, take my last post and remove the word “copyright” and replace it with the word “trademark”. Then re-read it.

I’m not trying to be rude, but the correct terminology is not my focus. I’m focusing on the concept that the name “Runabout” is 25 years old and it doesn’t matter who uses it now unless they are using it for another transformable robot. If the new “trademark” holder is using the name “Runabout” for a vacuum cleaner, there should be no case in any court of law. The reason being that nobody is going to mistake a vacuum cleaner for a transformable robot therefore neither company can claim damages. Case dismissed.

All this other legal drama is a bunch of BS.

Actually, it doesn't need to be about a transformable robot, but could simply be about a toy car named Runabout. Please read my previous post which outlines how Trademarks can be a applied.

Trademarks don't care how something was used in the past, as they have to be used currently to apply. Again, if the name was unavailable, it's Hasbro's fault, NOT the laws regarding Trademark.

If fact, you had this in your post: " There should be a law that a copyright has to be renewed every 5 years or it expires and is free for the taking."

And there IS a law like that regarding Trademarks, as I said in my previous post.

Bumblevivisector wrote:But since this messes up the pairity of an iconic duo, I'm feeling just dickish enough about this that I'd like to be the first to posit the theory that, based on the nature of the last Over-Run rename, it was likely not so much a rights issue as a revelation that the British consider "Runabout" an offensive slur against children with hyperactivity disorder.

I know I deserve to have my TF Club account lock me out as soon as preorders open up for saying that, but thank you, won't you?

*snort*

I think we should come up with some group to use "Megatron" as an offensive slur towards. Maybe people who wrecklessly attempt to circumvent trademark or copyright laws?

As for "Over-run," I think I'll call mine "Banksy."

Man i need to get TCC.

Curious how TFCC's Runamuck and Over-Run (aka Runabout) will look together on your Classics shelf? The Official Transformers Collectors' Club just tweeted a new image of the dastardly duo posed together with a message that pre-orders for the 2012 club exclusives should go up early next week.

Remember, to get the incentive figure Runamuck for free you must have an active TFCC membership by March 16th. As previously stated pre-orders for his partner in crime Over-Run and their other 2012 exclusive Shattered Glass Drift will open early next week. Speaking of Shattered Glass Drift they also tweeted we can expect his full reveal on Monday.

Very excited about these two! Looking forward to preorders opening.

Great !!! Now lets hope they do the right thing and only allow one per member for the first week. Screw the scalpers.

I think just 1 per member at first is ok but I hope to be able to get at least 2 of each. I like to have 1 open and 1 MISB.. Im thinking the limit will be 4 though..Seems like that was the number during last years exclusive run..

Can't wait to get these. I do wish the rubsigns weren't there though. Just s painted on symbol would've sufficed.

DMSL wrote:Can't wait to get these. I do wish the rubsigns weren't there though. Just s painted on symbol would've sufficed.

Actually both the symbols and the rubsigns are there cause that's what the G1 toys did, you can probably remove the rubsigns if you don't like'em.

Looks good!

I want now, please and thank you.

The pair looks quite nice; best thing from the club in a while.

Do we know what the production run on these are? More significantly, do we know if it's equal for both?

LiKwid wrote:I think just 1 per member at first is ok but I hope to be able to get at least 2 of each. I like to have 1 open and 1 MISB.. Im thinking the limit will be 4 though..Seems like that was the number during last years exclusive run..

So how do we go about getting a second Runamuck if it's the freebee? Can we order a second at the same time? And how does it work for ordering Runabout and SF Drift? Do I need to watch the computer and wait for the club to announce the open sale, and lounge at placing the order?

They look so cool!!

Reminds me to renew my membership on time. Want all three of this years figures!

Hope they do a better QC than on last years Sideburn.

(don´t know when or were exactly but i think i´ve read something about that even the figures you have to buy will also come just bagged and not boxed anymore, is there something to it or not??)

Stormrider wrote:So how do we go about getting a second Runamuck if it's the freebee? Can we order a second at the same time? And how does it work for ordering Runabout and SF Drift? Do I need to watch the computer and wait for the club to announce the open sale, and lounge at placing the order?

The freebie they usually sell the extras at a later date, but how long they'll last is anyone's guess. They're still selling leftover Dions, but the Sideburn extras sold out in a couple hours. If you want to ensure yourself an extra and not wait months later for it, sign up for another account at a family, friend, or neighbor's residence. Not even sure if you need a separate address to your own, but there's not really any question if you do. As for the other two, they can go kinda fast, but they should last for at least 24 hours. Just make sure you check in at some point each of the next few days or subscribe to their twitter or check the email your club account is associated with.

i hope to join TCC sometime this month til then i just hope i can get enough money to buy over-run and drift before any firesale starts

blackout446 wrote:i hope to join TCC sometime this month til then i just hope i can get enough money to buy over-run and drift before any firesale starts

I don't think we'll be seeing a firesale on Over-Run. From what I am seeing on the boards this seems to be a pretty hot item. It is not sold out yet, but I am guessing it will.

If we did see a firesale, wouldn't you want to wait until AFTER it starts?

And, of course, any mention of a firesale immediately brings Arrested Development to mind. http://www.hulu.com/watch/1296/arrested-development-fire-sale