New Hasbro Trademark signalling custom 3-D printing of toys?

[griffin]

It looks like Hasbro have registered a trademark name for something rather creative... or at least, what could be the future of toys - 3D printing of customised figures. (not transformable toys, but likely to be VERY simple figurines "built" virtually from a number of body/parts options)

It is being called "Allspark" (a Transformers term, but not necessarily a Transformers project, or exclusively for the Transformers Brand)... with the description being -

"Computer software for creating, designing, modifying, customizing, sharing and saving computer generated representations capable of being printed by a three dimensional printer to create physical objects, namely, jewelry, ornaments, arts objects, artifacts, household goods, toys, games, hobby models, accessories, office products, and various other consumer products "

Even though 3D printers are still fairly expensive items, the cost will come down like regular printers did, so at the very least it could be for them to produce and mail out your own customised figurines... or eventually mass-produce a small 3D printer for kids to produce their own figurines (like an Easy-Bake Oven allowed kids to "bake" without paying thousands for a proper oven).

One example site that was noted was this one, which sells little home 3D printers from US$1300, and has software that allows you to generate/custom build toys like robot figurines.


Could this be the future of toys... selling a specific "toy maker" device for a couple hundred dollars, programmed for the printing of just simple toys?
Or maybe even a device that can produce more articulated action figures, that you pay to download exclusive specs from the Home Company for you to print out, without having to go to a store to buy it, or waste time hunting for it. (it could mean many toys being available for purchase forever, like DVD or CDs being constantly re-released)

That sort of thing would be decades away, but it makes you wonder what Hasbro has in mind to be securing this sort of trademark now.

[GoktimusPrime]

I think this could be a good idea for Hasbro to legitimately produce and sell accessories and add-on kits and other things which are traditionally considered not cost-effective for Hasbro to mass-produce for their markets. There's also a potential for them to distribute spare and replacement parts.