Late last year we reported that Hasbro was suing ASUS over using the name “Transformer Prime” (btw our giveaway ends tomorrow, be sure to enter if you haven’t already!) for its Android tablet. Well, it looks like Hasbro’s case against the electronics manufacturer has been thrown out the window. According to the judge’s ruling, ASUS didn’t do anything wrong by naming its tablet the Transformer since it was capable of transforming (with the addition of the keyboard dock).
In addition, the judge refused to believe that anybody would confuse ASUS’ tablet with being a Hasbro product. “There is nothing gimmicky about the Eee Pad Transformer or the Eee Pad Transformer Prime, nor can it be said that there is any similarity in the use or function between Hasbro and Asus’s products.” I guess that statement holds true – at least until Hasbro starts manufacturing its own tablets in the future.
ASUS will continue selling its tablet under the Transformer Prime moniker, and Hasbro will continue selling Transformers toys as usual – it is even scheduled to launch a line of “Transformer Prime” merchandise this month. What do you think of the judge’s verdict? Was it a fair decision?
Filed in . Read more about Asus, Hasbro, Legal and Transformer Prime.