Quote Originally Posted by griffin View Post
16 - Why is Robot Heroes 'Hardshell' not called 'Decepticon Bombshell', or Universe 'Tankor' not called 'Decepticon Octane'? Is there some sort of Trademark issue, or a problem with the use of certain actual words (like the Dinobot 'Slag' being called 'Snarl'), because fans would rather see the prefex 'Autobot' or 'Decepticon' to the name, than see a new name for a toy that is clearly a homage to an existing toy/character.
-
Unfortunately using the designation “Decepticon/Autobot x” is not a foolproof device to use an old name. We do have a running list of names we currently have copyrights for and names that have failed legal clearance but I think it would be foolish to hold ourselves to ‘surefire’ names. Sometimes a character is cool enough to be produced in spite of not having the ‘fan preferred’ name. Sometimes we choose characters that are legally ‘unknowns’ i.e we take a chance. It has mixed results.
-
This is the second time that Hasbro (as a corporate entity) appears to have confused trademarks with copyright in Q&A. You can trademark names and terms, but you can only copyright and concepts, I believe.