Hasbro Sues ASUS For “Transformer Prime” Name – Says Consumers Will Associate The Tablet With Autobot Leader

• Chris Chavez
• 12 years ago

What do we have here. Oh yes, it’s yet another lawsuit from a company attacking an Android manufacturer. Nothing new there. Or is it? In a surprising twist, this time, the lawsuit has nothing to do with an Android competitor.

Seems Hasbro isn’t too keen on ASUS allegedly “stealing” one of their trademarks when they released the Transformer Prime (now being shipped). According to Hasbro, the Transformer Prime is clearly “stealing” their trademark from the Autobot leader, a Mr. “Optimus Prime,” star of their Transformers franchise. Hasbro’s believes that ASUS was banking the fact that consumers would associate the convertible tablet with the animated TV show. They issued this statement:

“The specific actions we are taking today against ASUS underscores yet again Hasbro’s willingness to pursue companies who misappropriate our intellectual property for their own financial gain.”

I can’t imagine anyone could actually associate the tablet with a children’s TV show (and one of the best 80’s movies of all time) but I guess anything’s possible. Should ASUS be forced to change the name of the greatest Android tablet of all time to avoid a conflict with the greatest Autobot of all time?

[MocoNews via Electronista]