My impression is that the larger the fan project, the more resources being invested in it, and the more potential profit, the more likely Hasbro is to go after them to protect their trademark. For all the little stuff and small-business dealers who sell fan stuff, Hasbro can turn a legal "blind eye". Except if someone else contacts their legal department and says, "Hey, I saw this person making and selling MLP stuff," then they might also be more likely go after them, because they're no longer "blind" to their existence.
On a similar note, a lot of authors have to ask their fans to stop talking... when the fans start telling them about these great story ideas they had! Because if the author uses one of the ideas (accidentally, subconsciously, etc.) they could get sued. It makes for a really weird situation where creators want to be able to interact with their fanbase, but can make for some weird dynamics, like completely avoiding fan fiction sites.
When someone's pitching an idea, it's not uncommon for one side to insist on a non-disclosure agreement; or on the sneaky side, contests and web sites that contain small print that anything you share with them becomes their intellectual property, and that you waive all rights to the material. Of course, deniability and arguments can go on and on.
My impression is that the larger the fan project, the more resources being invested in it, and the more potential profit, the more likely Hasbro is to go after them to protect their trademark. For all the little stuff and small-business dealers who sell fan stuff, Hasbro can turn a legal "blind eye". Except if someone else contacts their legal department and says, "Hey, I saw this person making and selling MLP stuff," then they might also be more likely go after them, because they're no longer "blind" to their existence.
On a similar note, a lot of authors have to ask their fans to stop talking... when the fans start telling them about these great story ideas they had! Because if the author uses one of the ideas (accidentally, subconsciously, etc.) they could get sued. It makes for a really weird situation where creators want to be able to interact with their fanbase, but can make for some weird dynamics, like completely avoiding fan fiction sites.
When someone's pitching an idea, it's not uncommon for one side to insist on a non-disclosure agreement; or on the sneaky side, contests and web sites that contain small print that anything you share with them becomes their intellectual property, and that you waive all rights to the material. Of course, deniability and arguments can go on and on.