The Energon Pub

[Va'al]

It may not mean anything significant, really, but via the US Patent and Trademark Office we have news of a new application on behalf of Hasbro for 'Transformers' under the category 'Entertainment services, namely, a series of motion pictures featuring live action and special effects'. What it might have something to do is the first time said trademark was used, all the way back in July 2007, when the first Paramount live-action movie featuring the Cybertronians hit the big screens. In any case, check out the full documentation here, and comment with your thoughts in the Energon Pub!

LIVE/APPLICATION/Awaiting Examination

The trademark application has been accepted by the Office (has met the minimum filing requirements) and has not yet been assigned to an examiner.
Status:
New application will be assigned to an examining attorney approximately 3 months after filing date.
Status Date:
Aug. 08, 2016

Mark Information
Mark Literal Elements:
TRANSFORMERS
Standard Character Claim:
Yes. The mark consists of standard characters without claim to any particular font style, size, or color.
Mark Drawing Type:
4 - STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Related Properties Information
Claimed Ownership of US Registrations:
2455261, 4301091, 4412057
Goods and Services
Note: The following symbols indicate that the registrant/owner has amended the goods/services:

Brackets [..] indicate deleted goods/services;
Double parenthesis ((..)) identify any goods/services not claimed in a Section 15 affidavit of incontestability; and
Asterisks *..* identify additional (new) wording in the goods/services.

For:
Entertainment services, namely, a series of motion pictures featuring live action and special effects
International Class(es):
041 - Primary Class
U.S Class(es):
100, 101, 107
Class Status:
ACTIVE
Basis:
1(a)
First Use:
Jul. 07, 2007
Use in Commerce:
Jul. 07, 2007

[Va'al]

Via Reuters, we have news of talks between Hasbro and movie distributor Lionsgate - and more precisely, news that talks of Hasbro to acquire the distributor are not going ahead, due to a price dispute. Hasbro had tried buying Dreamworks in 2014, but the latter was bought by Comcast corp - and it looks like Lionsgate is no longer on the table either, though no more information is currently given. Read more about it here, and below!

(Reuters) - Hasbro Inc, the maker of games ranging from Monopoly to foam Nerf balls, has ended talks to acquire U.S. movie studio and entertainment company Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The deal would have given Hasbro a direct pipeline into Hollywood with more movies and TV shows tied to its toy brands.

The Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company has worked with Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures on the "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" film franchises, and with the Lionsgate movie studio on a "My Little Pony" film, due in theaters in October.

The negotiations with Lions Gate ended last week because of price disagreements, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the talks were confidential. It is not clear whether negotiations could restart in the future.

Lions Gate declined to comment. Hasbro did not respond to a request for comment.

Hasbro shares fell 1.9 percent to $103.90, giving the company a market value of about $12.9 billion. Shares of Lions Gate were trading almost flat at $29.25, representing an overall market value of close to $5.9 billion.

[Munkky]

It wouldn't surprise me if Saban Brands ends up buying Lionsgate, I remember hearing that Saban still wants to move forward with another Power Rangers film despite the box office result because the merchandise sold well, so I can see them buying out Lionsgate and have them distribute more Power Rangers films.