On all Transformers toys(and all toys in general), somewhere on it are molded-in words stating the company and copyright date. On the older TF toys, these are in both English and Japanese. I now know the real-world reasons for these marks, but as a kid, they kinda bugged me, as it took me out of the fantasy.

Recently, there has been a trend of putting Cybertronian glyphs painted on to figures that have Cybertronian alt modes, but traditionally have English words on their earth-modes. (Siege Prowl, Barricade, Smokescreen, and Stakeout are ones that come to mind).

All this preamble is to say this: I would really like it if Hasbro/Takara Tomy started using the Cybertronian glyphs to stamp their copyright marks on the toys. Make the legal requirement labeling a sticker, that can easily be removed, with the glyphs underneath. Or register the Cybertronian glyphs as a proper font with the copyright office so it can be used worldwide. How cool would it be if any and all markings on the inside of the toy maintained the idea that these are alien robots?

 

The whole point of the random numbers/ trademarks is that you can’t remove it.

 

I honestly think it's B.S with the numbers on them. I say remove them and do the glyphs thing. I'm behind it

 

I am not suggesting that they don't put a copyright mark on it *AT ALL*. Just that the copyright mark doesn't NECESSARILY need to be written in English, and if that's the case, I want it to be written in Cybertronian glyphs. I know those can properly be stamped into plastic, we've seen it on Titans Return Seaspray.

 

Uh, yes, legally it does need to be in English. Invented languages / scripts aren't going to happen.

 

You’re definitely missing the point that as a ‘legal requirement’ or whatever it is it can’t be a made up language
And it’s a tiny thing thats easily hidden who really cares

 

Great idea! Second only to the idea of stamping “public domain dedication” on each figure

 

Hi. Lawyer here. Disclaimer: I'm not an IP lawyer. However, IP law is a bit of a hobby of mine because rules amuse me.

Grab any HasTak figure and you'll find the Copyright stamp, which is the usual circle C, the year, followed by the company name.

The fun part is that this isn't actually required to establish copyright. However, if you want to be able to (easily) enforce infringement claims, you need it. See 17 U.S. Code § 401. Of course, HasTak wants to be able to enforce this, and in order to do so they have to follow the applicable laws.

Here's why "Cybertronian Glyphs" don't work, at least in the U.S. The Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices is the manual that people in the copyright office use to verify that a copyright is compliant.

First, there's the issue of printing the mark on a sticker. Chapter 2200 covers the section on the format of the copyright. The manual states in pertinent part:

2206.1 Affixation and Position of the Notice The Copyright Act states that the notice shall be affixed on publicly distributed copies and phonorecords in such a manner and in a location that provides reasonable notice to the public of the claim to copyright. In all cases, the acceptability of a notice depends upon its being permanently legible to an ordinary user of the work and affixed to the copies in such manner and position that it is not concealed from view upon reasonable examination.(Emphasis added)​

In addition, "sculptures" or 3D works provide:

Where a work is reproduced in three-dimensional copies, a notice is acceptable if it is affixed directly or by means of a label cemented, sewn, or otherwise attached durably, so as to withstand normal use, to any visible portion of the work, or to any base, mounting, framing, or other material on which the copies are durably attached, so as to withstand normal use, or in which they are permanently housed. 37 C.F.R. § 201.20(i)(1)-(2). (Emphasis added).​

This requires that the mark be permanent, and legible - two things that a sticker/glyphs won't provide. However, the manual and 17 U.S. Code § 400 et. seq. comment on both the format and language of the mark. 17 U.S.C. §§ 401(c), 402(c). and Chapters 2206.5 through 2206.8 effectively establish that the marks must be legible, visible and unconcealed in during normal use.

Chapters 2204.3, 2204.4, and 2204.4(A)-(C) discuss the format of the actual mark. This indicates that in order to be valid, the "C in a Circle" or some specifically denoted variant is required. When discussing variations on the language of the copyright, Chapter 2204.4(C) also indicates that generally, the language of the mark must be English, at least in part.

The bottom line is that glyphs for everything eliminates enforceable copyright, and a copyright on an easily removable sticker is also improper.

 

In addition to the copyright stamp being written in cybertronian, all legal disputes should be settled by a cybertronian court of law on cybertron.

 

Looking at it from a "your-toys-exist-in-a-fictional-universe" standpoint, how hilarious would it be if their bodies had copyright markings in cybertronian writing? "You have to change bodies! The rights lapsed on your design!"

 

You forgot Power of the Primes Jazz.

 

So an honorable duel? Where one side cheats, appears to win, is revealed, with ultimately nothing being settled.

Better than a Quintesson Court of law at least. I have a suspicion they take a Solomon like divvying approach to settlements. But with actual follow through.