I believe Hasbro/Takara retains full ownership and control of the IP when it comes to it's licencees.
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Yep, no matter what a license holder is allowed to do with a Transformers name, concept or design, Hasbro can do whatever they want with it, because Hasbro are the ones who have to approve its use, and own any trademarks for those names to be used on those products (even Club toys, which is why some still don't have Gen1 names on them despite being Gen1 homage toys that aren't for retail release).
And Hasbro have even produced some retail toys based on characters created by FunPub (TFPrime Flamewar, Hero Mashers Heatwave).
As I was expecting, Ratchet is in the Japanese team... replacing Smokescreen.
http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/06/08/u...evealed-316702
I guess Smokescreen was sacrificed for an all 1984 limb set.
Good thing I'm making my own Ratchet then.
There is pictures of the individual robots if you scroll down
http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810862536/
listing available now at Takara Tomy Mall
http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810862536/
edit: Wheeljack's head looks like a prototype
Ratchet looks great, but I don't want any of the other four limbs...
(Still probably cheaper than buying a BotCon Custom Class Ratchet.)
Its not sky reign its Lynxmaster
http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/06/08/o...y-reign-316733
:D