Hi everyone. I hope you could help with some doubts I have.

- I see that people always make a joke about Ultra Magnus, the famous "I can't handle with that now". Does it come from the movie? I haven't seen the movie in english, so...

- Why Hasbro can't use the name "Hot Rod"?

- I see that in Beast toys, there are lots of "Primes", "Primals" or "Convoys". Are they the same characters? Could someone tell me something about them?

Thanks beforehand.

 

1) Yeah, in the famous scene after Kup and Hot Rod crash on Quintessa, Magnus says "I cant deal with that now."
2) Hasbro lost the trademark to the name "Hot Rod" (another company claimed that name after years of Hasbro not using it) and therefore by law cannot use it
3)In Beast Wars, there was Optimus Primal in multiple forms, whereas in Japanese Beast Wars, there were multiple leaders, all of which who shared the "Convoy" name, which essentially was a title given to Maximal leaders.

 

So, Lio Convoy, Big Convoy and Gorilla Convoy are all different characters?

 

Yes

 

In Japanese BW, there's a "Convoy Council" who appoints different Convoy's to lead various Maximal groups. They appointed Big Convoy to lead the Maximals in BW Neo.

 

Ok, now I understand.

Thanks a lot.

 

Okay, this is the perfect thread for this question then since it doesn't really warrant a whole new one:

What is the status of the name "Trailbreaker"? What I mean is if Hasbro wanted to make a Transformer named Trailbreaker, could they do it without a whole bunch of legal crap coming down around their ears?

As of now, the most recent use of the word "Trailbreaker" is in Hasbro's Overhaul unlocked code info; however, I don't know if that counts in legal terms or not.

 

Trailbreaker is definitely not a viable option for a Transformer name right now, as the unlocked content on Overhaul verifies. For several bots, such as Brawn, Ravage or Tracks, their names are too generic for use on their own, so Hasbro has to add a prefix to the name (X-Brawn, Battle Ravage, Autobot Tracks).

In Trailbreaker's case, it's more likely a matter that Hasbro does not have rights to the name - the Overhaul content almost implies Hasbro tried and failed to get the name (and no, mentioning the name in the unlocked contect does not mean Hasbro has the rights to it). It may be a name Hasbro's close to getting back, or it might take a decade, and that's assuming Hasbro pushes to regain it.

 

IIRC, The problem results from GM changing the name of their Blazer truck to TRAILblazer, resulting in problems with creating a truck with a similar name that isn't licensed by GM.

 

Wait, as far as trademarked names go, I think it would be hard for GM to win a case with a Trailbreaker/Trailblazer name infringement.
Hasbro could even change it to Trail Breaker and it would be even harder for GM to have any legal leverage.

...I think  

 

Where's the Nevermore symbol when you need it?

 

This question has to do with money:

Do you recommend buying Energon Ironhide AND Energon Jetfire?

I know that this depends on each person, but I've heard lots of bad comments about these two.

Help me please!

 

Persoanlly, I like the E. Jetfire mold. Although i think the Overcast repaint is the better color scheme.


Ironhide has a My First TF feel about it. Unless you're a completist, it's not worth getting.

 

How does one create a Transformer line? Do they have to obey certain rules like being able to create a toy out of it?

 

A lot of legal stuff is envolved.It's very hard to explain.

 

Well putting the names and car models copyrights aside how do they actually create it, I mean do they just pick up some random truck and try to turn that into a robot and bam the new Optimus Prime is done?

 

me personaly i passed on both of them during energon, but accuired the 2 pack in a trade online, and i must say i like them combined, im not big on iron hide much, but jetfire is neat.... and with a few minor tweaks they look good combined

 

is energon towline a homage to G1 ironhide?

 

Botcon exclusives aside, Tow-Line is usually attributed as a double homage to Skids and the Ironhide/Ratchet G1 mold. The exclusives were merely the natural evolution of a repaint for the mold (but a new head sculpt certainly didn't hurt).

 

Maybe a matter of Hasbro thinking the trademark gain is not worth the risk, especially when the leading candidates for toys that could've been named "Trailbreaker" all being (non-GM) toy trucks and SUVs.

Assuming the following possible potential "Trailbreakers": Universe Spychanger Ironhide, Alternator Swindle or Rollbar, Cybertron Overhaul, Alternator Optimus/Nemesis Prime.