LinaNui wrote:Sigh, another knockoff appears. I wonder if Lego will take action against this company since this is just a knockoff of there part designs. It is cool, but I will not be getting it. If instructions get out, I may build it out of real Lego.
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:LinaNui wrote:Sigh, another knockoff appears. I wonder if Lego will take action against this company since this is just a knockoff of there part designs. It is cool, but I will not be getting it. If instructions get out, I may build it out of real Lego.
They can't. The patent on some basic building blocks expired years ago and is now public domain. Companies can use those designs and derive their own compatible pieces from them, all legally.
If you're wondering when... I think around 2002 when Hasbro's Built-To-Rule was released. Other companies and brands have since popped up, including Hasbro's Kre-O in 2011, and really, Lego only intervenes when exact sets (especially those of licensed properties) are copied. Lepin especially got in trouble for that, and not just from Lego; they've been known to market custom builds by fans, effectively stealing their designs.
Anywho... Optimus Prime actually looks pretty good, especially compared to the skeletal Lego Technic sets.
Silverwing wrote:Also, I feel compelled to give the obligatory:
One for each year of the Movieverse's decade strong tenure. Here's to a few more explosive years!
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:LinaNui wrote:Sigh, another knockoff appears. I wonder if Lego will take action against this company since this is just a knockoff of there part designs. It is cool, but I will not be getting it. If instructions get out, I may build it out of real Lego.
They can't. The patent on some basic building blocks expired years ago and is now public domain. Companies can use those designs and derive their own compatible pieces from them, all legally.
If you're wondering when... I think around 2002 when Hasbro's Built-To-Rule was released. Other companies and brands have since popped up, including Hasbro's Kre-O in 2011, and really, Lego only intervenes when exact sets (especially those of licensed properties) are copied. Lepin especially got in trouble for that, and not just from Lego; they've been known to market custom builds by fans, effectively stealing their designs.
Anywho... Optimus Prime actually looks pretty good, especially compared to the skeletal Lego Technic sets.
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