It shouldn't be a problem. Remember they used a Lambo for Mach Alert just ten years ago. Starscream is an F-15, which is NOT made by Lockheed Martin, but rather McDonnell Douglas. The copyright (if you can even copyright something like an airplane design) has probably long expired anyhow.
As far as the license goes, didn't Habro release G1 Sideswipe as a TRU exclusive in the lat 10 years? The look was not altered, and no license.
After reading on it a bit, the Soundwave thing was hinted at, I don't know if anything official was said, though.
It's cool that he's coming out, but I honestly do get get the Sideswipe love in the fandom. He served little to no purpose in any of the fiction, so is it just his '80s cokehead's wet dream alt-mode???
And I fully agree. Spewcially in matching classics line (I am one of the people who was never satisfied with the classics versions of the lambo molde, I want 80 blocky design all the way). Even if it still might be a bit big on classics, as long as iit is about Alternity size, it works for me.
Yep, all they did was remove the Ferrari decals. I don't think anyone is listening to me but cars fall under "Design Patents" How long does a design patent last? - Design Patents FAQ - LegalZoom Meaning... as long as you don't use the word Ferrari or their logos on your replica or in this case, toy, you will be ok. You guys need to look into automobile replicas or "Kit Cars", cars like the Cobra or even the Batmobile are fair game now. So if I'm wrong, correct me. It's been a few years since my last Business Law class
I wouldn't say it was just the alt mode. Sideswipe is a big hit with fans for many reasons. I mean yes, I'm Italian and I love the Lambo but Sideswipe was always there. He had some ok one liners and he was shown a lot in the comics. The big thing with Sideswipe is he's always there. He may not play a big part or do anything super amazing but he is always there. He's in the video games, the novels based on those as well. Time again they always use Sideswipe for something. He even crosses verses. He's also an easy character to like.
When you stop and think about it, there are a ton of G1 characters that did little to nothing in the cartoon and comic book universes. I don't think a character's list of accomplishments or lack thereof is the main driving force to whether or not a corresponding toy gets produced. I'm sure it plays a factor, but there are other considerations to be made as well. Sometimes, the character has a cool and memorable name. Sometimes, it's the iconic alt mode. Sometimes, it's seeing how cool the robot mode looks on screen or on paper and how equally cool it would look rendered in toy form. Sometimes, it's the nostalgia connected with that toy or character. I'm willing to bet plenty of the older heads on this site grew up with a G1 Sideswipe in their back pocket or book bag. Sideswipe might not mean much to you personally, but there's definitely an undeniable attachment to that character...whatever the reasons may be. And the same can be said about any Transformers character for that matter.
But that doesn't matter since Streetwise is a completely different robot than Streak/Prowl/Smoke. They wouldn't do a repaint of a MP Prowl into Streetwise. That's not gonna happen.
Well, most all the 1st series G1 characters are fan favorites. It was a time when Transformers could do no wrong in our eyes..... every character seemed awsome.... and the better ones were awsome'er.... and when they went up a tier with Skyfire, Dinobots, Insecticons, and Constructicons.... they were awsome'er'ist.
Speakin of which, a G1 cartoon accurate MP Jetfire would be awesome! At MP size, he'd also fit right in with the Classic figures.
