War for Cybertron Air Raid and Breakdown revealed

[kaiden]

I want to play as Menasor in online vs mode

[5FDP]

I suspect that the name Breakdown will be changed to Brakedown for the final version of the game as it appears as though Hasbro do not own the Breakdown trademark nor have they applied for it.

[Bartrim]

They both look awesome. They should make a whole toy range based on this line (although my wallet is grateful that they haven't)

[1AZRAEL1]

They both look awesome. They should make a whole toy range based on this line (although my wallet is grateful that they haven't)

Who knows, it if it successful enough, they may just do it, then all our wallets will hate us

[Zippo]

I like the look of these characters. Sadly makes me wish they all had toys..

[Paulbot]

I suspect that the name Breakdown will be changed to Brakedown for the final version of the game as it appears as though Hasbro do not own the Breakdown trademark nor have they applied for it.

Are there different rules for characters in a creative work such as a game, movie or comic? Hasbro's can't sell a toy called Ravage for instance but the character is never called Decepticon/Battle Ravage in the comics or movie. Same goes for Skids, Wheelie, Jazz etc. etc. Even in recent IDW comics Breakdown retains his G1 name. I think if a toy was made it would be sold as Brakedown but otherwise I suspect and hope they can keep the old name in the game.

For a nonTF example I think of how DC Comics can't sell a comic called Captain Marvel but can use the character's name

[5FDP]

Are there different rules for characters in a creative work such as a game, movie or comic? Hasbro's can't sell a toy called Ravage for instance but the character is never called Decepticon/Battle Ravage in the comics or movie. Same goes for Skids, Wheelie, Jazz etc. etc. Even in recent IDW comics Breakdown retains his G1 name. I think if a toy was made it would be sold as Brakedown but otherwise I suspect and hope they can keep the old name in the game.

For a nonTF example I think of how DC Comics can't sell a comic called Captain Marvel but can use the character's name

That's absolutely correct. For instance, the name Brakedown has been registered for "toy action figures, toy vehicles and toy robots convertible into other visual toy forms" whereas the Revenge of the Fallen trademark is also registered for "interactive entertainment software, namely, video game programs, computer game programs, computer game software; computer and video game apparatus, namely, video game machines for use with televisions; sunglasses".

Therefore, if Hasbro wishes to use the name Breakdown in the WFC game, they would need to submit an application appropriate for its use and imagery.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yup. I believe IDW's ongoing G1 uses "Breakdown" rather than "Brakedown." Also I think there's different laws for different kinds of toys too. For example, for action figures like the TF movie toys and Animated Hasbro had to use the name "Autobot Jazz," but for Alternators (which may also count as a miniature car replica) Hasbro were unable to use that name so they used "Meister" instead.

[Gutsman Heavy]

didn't they call alt Jazz Meister cos' they didn't want another Autobot [Blank] in the line?

[5FDP]

didn't they call alt Jazz Meister cos' they didn't want another Autobot [Blank] in the line?

Yep...

Due to trademarking, Jazz toys are generally prefixed with the word "Autobot", to reinforce Hasbro's rights to the name in the "Toys and Sporting Goods" trademark category. However, Aaron Archer has stated that since Hasbro had already used the "Autobot" prefix for the two previous Alternators figures, "Autobot Hound" and "Autobot Tracks", they instead elected to use the Japanese name rather than repeat the same pattern with "Autobot Jazz".