Quote Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime View Post
Really? Because Hasbro were unable to even use "Autobot Jazz" for the Alternator toy and had to call it "Meister." I thought it was because Alternators were semi-classified as model cars rather than just action figures and maybe "Jazz" sounded too similar to the Honda Jazz. Also, writers are able to use trademarked names that are different to what Hasbro can use on product. e.g. in the films, cartoons, comics etc., characters like "Ratchet" and "Jazz" are just called that, not "Autobot Ratchet" or "Autobot Jazz." But on any packaging or tech specs bio, they always have to use "Autobot Ratchet" or "Autobot Jazz" etc. IDW were also able to use the name "Octane," and only started using the name "Tankor" after the Universe toy was released. Then Hasbro released Generations Tankor and IDW made up the nicknames "Fat Tankor" and "Tall Tankor" to distinguish them apart in the eyes of other characters.

Other discrepancies include:
* Noble/Savage ---> Beast Changer
* Tidal Wave ---> Shockwave (at the time Hasbro didn't have the trademark for Shockwave, hence some toys were called "Shockblast")
* Rodimus ---> Hot Rod (he later changed his name to Rodimus in the IDW comics; even his Spotlight issue was called "Hot Rod")

I can understand trademarking "Optimus Prime", but just "optimus"? 'Optimus' is simply the Latin word for "best," surely that should be considered too generic for anyone to trademark. If you're going to trademark "optimus," then what about "bonus" (good) or "melius" (better)?
bonus・melius・optimus = good, better, best
In the case of Jazz, you're probably quite right about the Alternators=model cars thing. Just because there are areas doesn't mean a Trademark in one area can't be used to protect another. In the case of Jazz, Honda would hold the mark in the automobile area. Hasbro want to use it for a toy, that's fine, but marks for automobiles are also enforceable in the model car area, and therefore Hasbro are blocked.

In the case of the comics, the fact that they use the names doesn't mean they use the trademarks. The only trademarks that are probably held by Hasbro or IDW for the comic book area are probably "Transformers" "More Than Meets The Eye" and "Robots in Disguise". They wouldn't even need to trademark Optimus Prime in that area because their existing marks would already be enforceable. There very likely isn't a trademark for "Hot Rod" in the comic book area and therefore they can use the name with wild abandon. This happens all the time - Batman is definitely a trademark but ordinary names like Alfred Pennyworth, Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon are no doubt untrademarkable, because they're just people's names.

What I meant was, LG can use "Optimus" for their cell phones but I doubt they could use "Optimus Prime" for the new, improved model. In any case, while optimus is an ordinary Latin word, since Latin is a dead language, terms taken from it are probably viewed as esoteric enough to be used as Trademarks.

Or why can't Clobber just be a whole new character?
Because Hasbro says he isn't, apparently. Why they thought "Clobber" was a good enough new name for G1 Grimlock is beyond me though.