The ongoing court battle between Asus and Hasbro might be a little surreal at times, but Hasbro, which holds trademarks on the term “transformer,” got some bad news today. A US district court judge has ruled that Hasbro could not stop Asus from making and selling an Android tablet called the Transformer Prime as the case continues winding its way to trial.
Asus released its first Transformer tablet in the spring of 2011, but it was not until the company put out the follow up Transformer Prime, that Hasbro went all decepticon. Hasbro began airing an animated series in late 2010 called, you guessed it, Transformers Prime. The toy maker claimed in court that consumers would be confused, thinking that the Asus tablet was part of the Hasbro line of products. That might not be as completely outlandish as it sounds on the face of it; Hasbro has, in the past, allowed its Transformers logo to appear on mice, USB drives, and other electronic products.
The judge was unwilling to grant Hasbro the preliminary injunction that would have stopped Asus from selling the device until the case was settled. In the decision, the judge used several justifications including the accuracy of the name. The Asus Transformer products “transform” into laptops with the aid of a keyboard dock. Additionally, Hasbro may have simply waited too long to act, thus weakening its claim of ongoing harm to its brand.
Hasbro played up the positives in the case thus far, pointing out that the judge did acknowledge the strength of the Transformers trademark in general. One last bit of juicy data from the courtroom, Asus revealed in filings that it has only moved around 80,000 Transformer Prime tablets since the device was released in January.
Fans of Transformers Prime can snag this great 6-inch figure based on the show and featured as one of San Diego Comic Con 2011′s signature EXCLUSIVE items. It’s a 6-inch tall rendering of Optimus Prime, featuring an amazing premium deco that’s unique to the figure and gives a great dramatic flair, sleek and metallic. Beyond the awesome transforming figure, though, this is one collectible where the package might actually be just as awesome. Called “The Matrix of Leadership”, the box converts into a wearable piece!
Imports are pretty much the cream of the Transformers crop and we’ve got a new one that’s sure to please. Take a look!
That’s six individual Transformers in one awesome Japanese box set. Part of the encore series, it’s a treat for anyone who’s made this their holy grail or has otherwise been on the look-out for something truly awesome to be the jewel in the crown for their collection of Robots in Disguise. When fully assembled, Devastator stands a whopping 12 inches tall and features full limb articulation and a number of weapons to help him take on any enemies you want to throw his way. A must-have for collectors!
It’s Decepticon versus Autobot once again and you get to decide who comes out on top! Based on their dynamic new looks in TRANSFORMERS PRIME, these 8-inch Transformers can stage an epic battle on your toyshelf! The two-pack also comes with the show’s human protagonists and a DVD featuring the series premiere– perfect for converting the uninitiated.
The set is currently available for pre-order and will be shipping out in January 2012, so if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll definitely want to get this one on its way!
He relies on knowledge gained from countless skirmishes with the DECEPTICONS®* to persevere in battle. He chooses MECHTECH weapons for their adaptability and power – the DECEPTICONS don’t stand a chance!
Spring into action with this vehicle-to-robot hero! Switch your fiery IRONHIDE figure from robot mode to TOPKICK® mode – and back, where his chest-mounted cannon will make him nearly invincible! While the bot battle rages on, your figure’s weapons light up, and the blaster, conversion and missile sounds make the action more intense!
The Takara collection is imported from Japan and generally boasts a higher quality construction, some improved materials and pretty awesome designs. They bring a retro sensibility to a new building technology and do a great job of recreating the feeling of the old-school Transformers for fans who love them. These guys are pre-orderable now and ship later this month!
Transformers fans rejoice! There’s a brand new DEVASTATOR gift set now available from Takara. Shipping in the last quarter of this year, you can now pre-order this Japanese import.
The Takara series is a high-end collection of deluxe Transformers figures fit for fans looking out for something truly different to add to their collection. It stands a whopping 12 inches tall and is formed of several other smaller Transformers, all of whom can change independently or come together to form this behemoth.
The Autobot Ark is a great new Transformers toy that really brings to life the spirit of the older toys with the look and feel of the new TF universe. Have a look!
In the battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, this awesome ark is armed and ready to take down the dark side of Transformers and carry the Autubots to victory.
The ship includes an exclusive Autobot figure (ROLLER) and boasts a ton of weaponry, plus great accessories and space within the brig for any Decepticon enemies the Autobots might need to keep and question. It’s a great addition to the collection of absolutely any TF fan and is based on the hugely-successful third entry to the Transformers franchise, DARK OF THE MOON.
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON promises to be just as big and loud as its predecessors and whether you’re a fan of the films or a cartoon purist, you might be happy to know that a new wave of robots on disguise will be riding in with the film’s launch!
As per usual, the collection is divided into classes and each figures a range of different characters and figures. In the following classes, look for the likes of Ice Pick, Sandstorm, Bumblebee, Sentinel Prime, Roadbuster, Ratchet and many, many more! Take look:
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