Go ahead and file this away as obvious. Remember the ASUS Transformer Prime — the tablet that has caused about as much hype in its industry as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus did in the smartphone world? Of course you do. Everyone and their brother who considers themselves even somewhat interested in the field of technology has, at some point, made mention of the Prime. After all, it is the World’s first quad-core tablet, wrapped in a 10.1-inch screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. It has also become somewhat common knowledge that the device will be receiving Ice Cream Sandwich at some point of early 2012, making it even more of a hot commodity.

In the latest installment of “As the Transformer Prime Keeps the World Waiting,” it looks as though the day has finally come that many of us knew would soon be coming. Hasbro had filed a lawsuit against ASUS for “allegedly” borrowing stealing the Transformer Prime’s name from — wait for it — yep, you guessed it, Optimus Prime, a character from the mega-smash hit series, The Transformers. Apparently, Hasbro is seeking damages and an injunction against device sales until the two companies can get this situation hashed out.

Now, you’d have to be deaf, dumb, blind or some combination of the three to not see the “coincidental” name-borrowing that’s going on here, and you’d think ASUS wouldn’t have made such a move without expecting anything less; but here we are, and this is the predicament they’ve gotten themselves into. What will the outcome be? Only time will tell, but I know more than a handful of people who pre-ordered both the 64GB and 32GB models who will now be anxiously awaiting an update on this story.

Did you already pre-order? How do you think this development will affect the device and those who have already added themselves to the waiting list, or those that just plain want to get their hands on the Transformer Prime?

Source: TechCrunch