Season 2 Ep #9: Lights, Camera, Action Figures!
When popular television, movie, or comic book characters are recast into three-dimensional, bendable, transformable toys, what intellectual property considerations go into their design? This week the panel on IP Goes Pop! takes apart iconic action figures, past and present, to explore the patents, design patents, licensing, and other intellectual property surrounding these valued toys and collectibles.
Join Volpe Koenig Shareholders and co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue, along with fellow Volpe Koenig Shareholder Randy Huis, as they explore the evolution of celebrated action figures and the intellectual property behind them. From the technological innovations involved in G.I. Joe’s “Kung Fu Grip”, to the Transformers action figures’ unique ability to change from robot to animal to vehicle etc., each new wave of toys and characters brings with them new IP challenges and opportunities. But remember to keep them in the original packaging!
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Timestamps:
2:10 Action Figures in Pop Culture
- MEGO action figures (2:26)
- Todd McFarlane action figures (6:36)
- G.I. Joe (8:32)
10:56 The IP of Action Figures
- G. I. Joe Patents (11:16)
- US3277602A, “Toy figure having movable joints” (1966)
- US3988855A, “Posable figure having one piece connector for torso, trunk and legs” (1976)
- Transformers (19:40)
- US4516948A, “Reconfigurable toy assembly” (21:31)
- Transforming Toys Design Patent Variations (24:09)
- Robot to Plane - USD278643S, “Reconfigurable toy” (25:37)
- Robot to Car - USD281001S, “Reconfigurable toy vehicle”
- Robot to Dinosaur - USD286901S, “Reconfigurable dinosaurian toy (26:46)
30:22 Value/Pricing of Antique Action Figures Today
- Original MEGO 1970s Joker character
- Original 1974 Iron Man character
- MEGO 1970s Batgirl characters
- MEGO 1974 Star Trek Klingon character
32:03 Self Assembling Optimus Prime Toy
33:15 Final Thoughts
