Here's the tfw2005 story/discussion on this in case you missed it.

Takara Tomy wins Good Design Long Life award for Transformers Masterpiece

 

Haha, it seems I'm months behind the game! Cheers mate.

 

Was it confirmed that TakaraTomy or the line as a whole was recieving the award as a whole? I see I'm not the only one noticing that it's only one designer's molds featured; I feel like there must be a reason for that.

 

Its most likely his baby, and being highest in seniority ....going back to 2003.

 

I think stealing the engineering is weak, but I could probably take either side of the argument that they're all KOs depending on the day. I'm more interested in what makes that something Hasbro will take action on vs something that's a spitting image, but has an original transformation, though.

 

Artfire is up for preorder on HLJ for all those interested

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Likeness as infringement on an IP is harder to win in court while engineering is much easier.

On a likeness, you'd need to first show that the IP is well known. Enough to be infringed on in the first place, and I don't know the details, but that's really hard. It's one of the reasons DC changed Batman's emblem from just a black bat to the bat in the yellow oval for a couple of decades - the latter could be copy written. Now, of course, a stylized bat is synonymous, so they went back to it.

Engineering is easier because the law around it is much clearer and robust around the world, or so I've been told. It's a physical thing where you go into court with a piece stamped x date and your patent and plans for it and can say that it came first. Basically, HasTak can protect the transformation sequence because they can actually say that it was stolen from a specific piece of their property.

All that being said though, surely 30 years has to be long enough to say that the image of Optimus or Megatron is famously their IP for a long enough period to win? I find it weird that they haven't been able to go that route with the bigger 3Ps.

 

Just saw this (very blurry) picture on the Masterpiece Collectors group on Facebook. Apparently it is from the upcoming generations book.

 

Here's to hoping it's official!

 

Its not for the MP line from what I have seen. The dinobot design is 100% the original toy.

 

Honestly, I cant see or make out anythong (maybe my vision is THAT bad).

I am stgill holding out for Hound. Seriously, I am. Hope TT pulls through

 

The image is so blurred, it's tough to say anything well. it could be Generations versions of some of them, and the 2 existing BW MPs for all we know. Hi-Res pls!

 

Is there any news on a release date for dirge yet? Swear he was announced like 3 months ago

 

It's not your vision. It really is that bad.

I'm holding out for TT Hound as well but man FT Willis is really starting to look good to me. I'm hoping he'a still a possibility.

 

I was hoping there would be a good FT Willis black friday sale, but no. I'm kinda hesitant to grab him off ebay or somewhere without great after-sale support, though, as I've heard he has a pretty high rate of QC issues.

 

According to the Generations book we will . The first half of the year is mostly repaints besides Megatron and Cheetor and they should be pretty far along with them. I still think in the next year we will get a Jazz announcement. If they cant convince Porshe now barring them filing for bankruptcy I don't see what in the future will convince them. You have 3p illegally using their IP, You have a nice design award that you plaster on your box, and because you have become more toon oriented you can make the pitch that you are not selling toys(war toys) but 3d character collectibles of a popular show not toys.

 

I'm guessing March. Right now the non-reissue MP schedule is:

Jan - MP-34 Cheetor
Feb - MP-35 Grapple
Apr - MP-36 Megatron
May - MP-37 Artfire

 

It's not just you. All I can tell is they all look vaguely like animals so I am assuming it's more BeastWars MPs.

Earlier in the year you mentioned Hound, Mirage & Sunstreaker may be coming. Do you have any insight at all what may have happened?

 

I am very cautious now making statements like those even it was mentioned to me by my sources. I have no idea what happened to them, but a picture of Hound in the Generations book is hitting me in the feels. I really want a TT Hound badly.
To be honest, FT Willis is a good toy. I will still be keeping him after and if TT announces an official Hound. Just that Willis is very fiddly to transform and that is abit off putting.