oh, I like Hasbro...because I'm a Transformers fan.

oh I love Hasboro too they make toys to buy

I don't think Hasbro lost the rights to the name Galvatron, as the repaint of Armada Megatron was named Galvatron. Of course, if the G1 toy wasn't made by Takara...(somebody please verify)

Huh? The one thing has nothing to do with the other...

Besides, the movie toys were designed by Hasbro (not Takara) to begin with. I've read an interview with a Takara designer who explained that Kup barely managed to match Japanese standards...

 

Anyways, you didn't get my point. No, Hasbro hasn't lost the name yet. But if they don't reuse it every once in a while, they may lose it and someone else could snatch it, and then you would see, say, Commemorative Series X Ultratron... And fanboys would Starscream.

 

See, some of them actually blame Hasbro for not caring to keep names during an era when Hasbro couldn't have cared less about Transformers (1990 onwards)... Transformers were dead, why in bloody hell should have Hasbro actually cared for keeping names to characters that were released six years ago? Because there might be an interest in reissues more than ten years later? But the fanboys...

I don't think Hasbro lost the rights to the name Galvatron, as the repaint of Armada Megatron was named Galvatron.  Of course, if the G1 toy wasn't made by Takara...(somebody please verify)

Huh? The one thing has nothing to do with the other...

Besides, the movie toys were designed by Hasbro (not Takara) to begin with. I've read an interview with a Takara designer who explained that Kup barely managed to match Japanese standards...

 

Anyways, you didn't get my point. No, Hasbro hasn't lost the name yet. But if they don't reuse it every once in a while, they may lose it and someone else could snatch it, and then you would see, say, Commemorative Series X Ultratron... And fanboys would bitch.

 

See, some of them actually blame Hasbro for not caring to keep names during an era when Hasbro couldn't have cared less about Transformers (1990 onwards)... Transformers were dead, why in bloody hell should have Hasbro actually cared for keeping names to characters that were released six years ago? Because there might be an interest in reissues more than ten years later? But the fanboys...

...Which was the only reason why E Megatron was even named "Megatron" to begin with. They would have lost copyright to the name (to Yu-Gi-Oh! I think) if they hadn't used it in Energon.

how long do trademarks last? I have no problem with Galvatron coming back every year. I just wish Megatrons upgrade would be more than just color. He should get a new body like the original Megatron.

how long do trademarks last? I have no problem with Galvatron coming back every year. I just wish Megatrons upgrade would be more than just color. He should get a new body like the original Megatron.

My understanding was that (at least with toys) you have to use it every year in order to retain the trademark. Which would make sense, since there are only so many names to go around. But you could always re-apply for a trademark as long as no one else has snatched the name up. And I'm pretty sure that Hasbro's not going to want to risk losing the rights to the name "Galvatron" -- after all, the trademark extends beyond just the toys....

argg copyright and trademarks the laws way of killing creativity

 

on the whole they have to use it once a year could they just make one toy and have it in production for lets say 6 years and still have the rights for that time or has it got to be a new toy every year (in thery the reissue's could save the names seeing as there still in production and so long as they dont stop them instead just slow them down then they could keep the good names)

argg copyright and trademarks the laws way of killing creativity

 

...but also ensuring that other people don't wildly copy anything and profit from YOUR creativity...

 

on the whole they have to use it once a year could they just make one toy and have it in production for lets say 6 years

Ever seen a TF toy that's been on the shelves - REGULARLY for six years?

argg copyright and trademarks the laws way of killing creativity

ah! welcome to commercialism!

Ever seen a TF toy that's been on the shelves - REGULARLY for six years?

Beast Machines Cheetor.... :tflaugh