The legit competition right now seems to be devoted to completely unrelated lines *cough*Pirates*cough* and the Chinese aren't actually doing it illegally, as they have such shoddy laws that it's legal there. They seem to devote their efforts to the older lines (someone say Pirates again?) and personally, I've never seen one of them for sale anywhere but online. If they're having any effect on TLG, I'd be surprised, but that's something they'd have to fight on a region by region basis, since they can't stop them from being made.

I'm pretty sure that it's still illegal. China from what I understand is trying to improve trade relations with countries beyond its borders. Hard to do if your not respecting international copyrights. I suspect that China simply hasn't (or isn't willing to) crackdown on these violations. Protecting one's IP is pretty important, so I can see why LEGO might be concerned over leaked images.

One thing i always thought lego should do is to talk more with us fans, they should be using sites like this to question us on what we would and wouldn't like to see.

They could describe a line to us and gage our intrest and ideas, that way no pics would need to be shown which in turn would help stop these pirate versions from showing up.

One thing i always thought lego should do is to talk more with us fans, they should be using sites like this to question us on what we would and wouldn't like to see.

They could describe a line to us and gage our intrest and ideas, that way no pics would need to be shown which in turn would help stop these pirate versions from showing up.

That's a really grerat idea!! I hope it does happen.

That's a really grerat idea!! I hope it does happen.

Well i doubt it ever will, it's not like it hasn't been suggested before :-/

One thing i always thought lego should do is to talk more with us fans, they should be using sites like this to question us on what we would and wouldn't like to see.

agree. as gylman said before - bring it on - UCS MF-scaled Castle 5000+ pieces please!!!

i'll outline here why i think it is important for lego to keep producing ucs (not just SW) and afol themed sets.

i still feel awkward buying sets that are like for age 5-7. this was so apparent when i first came out of my dark ages shopping in a toy store instead of a hobby shop for lego sets. i feel much more at ease buying tamika models than lego sets. public perception is quite important to some afols. i can't be seen as a kid in an adult body. :-P if lego make more afol sets, then many afols won't feel so weird buying lego. in fact, i could proudly show my guests the UCS MF since it is 16+ but other sets, i need to hide them in my basement. :-P

the second reason is that kids need to feel that lego is age appropriate for everyone. when they grow to the teens, they start to want to be like adults. if lego still churn out 16+ sets, then it wouldn't be seen as a kiddy toy and more teens can feel more at ease playing building lego sets. more often we see kids gravitate to R/C or video games because those are usually rated 12-16 or have mature ratings.

16+ sets are also a good way for parents to spend time with their kids on a weekend. for the normal sets, i don't like to help my kid build because i know it's just right for him. so i become more or less a spectator. for the much harder sets like 16+, i can actually have my kid join me in finding the parts and create the set together. just look at the UCS MF. the speed build competition winners completed the set in 6 hours (??? not sure) and there were like 8-10 of them. it's great. it fosters teamwork and coordination. it's a great way for lego to be more of a team toy than one you play build alone.

most people dare not showcase their lego creation due to the perception that lego is a kid's toy. if lego starts creating more stunning 16+ afol sets, more and more household will have them displayed. that's like free marketing for you. people visiting will admire the creation, the people showcasing won't feel awkward because it's no longer a child's toy...the visitors will feel envious of the stories of how many weekends they spent together building and decided to try one themselves, etc. it's just great word-of-mouth marketing.

While I know it isn't connected to the original thread, I can't help but agree with natelite about the age range suggestion.

In the early days, LEGO catalogs showed the standard pics of kids building (usually the founder's kids) but also featured adults making architectural structures. LEGO itself produced Modulex, used by architects in designing buildings. LEGO has a great deal of adult potential, and it wastes a lot of that by putting an upper age range on it's products and driving away customers who are either ashamed to buy it, or told by their parents that it's "too young for them."

To be honest, it's always been a silly system anyway. Didn't you go to school with some kid who was really a couple of years behind and given easier work, as well as the ones who were way ahead of the class? Estimating a toy by age is legally necessary, and in general a good idea, but if something is suggested for 8-12 yrs, or 8+, what's the harm in a 16yr old enjoying it?

A lot of early cartoons were intended for adults, but still able to be watched by children. Each group got something different out of the experience. LEGO can be the same way, if people aren't scared away from it by some arbitrary number.

Oh, and as for China, look up Shijingshan Amusement Park, a theme park that basically violates every copyright possible, many of which are Disney owned. They claim to be in negotiations over the issue (long after the fact), but none of the companies involved are commenting on that. The funny part? It's owned by the local government there. While they may have theoretical intent to eventually follow some basic laws where it suits them, don't ever expect to see the knockoffs and fakes stopped, it's making far too much money and it's incredibly easy in a country where they're also making the legitimate products. I despise the fact that LEGO has moved some production there and expect it to only make the situation worse in the long run.

Hey you can simply buy shifty in Belgian stores albeit chinese-owned stores

Check out my bs

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=245215

Edited October 3, 200717 yr by highlandcattle

wow...i'm surprised. those are pretty good replicas. the cutlasses and flintlock gun are in chrome silver too!

do the parts feel like lego or cheap imitation?

btw, the final production set can be dramatically different from the preliminary pictures you see in the catalogs.

for eg, the viking ship vs the serpent. both showed prototypes include one that appeared in the dealer's magazine. the production version is so different vs any of the two. :-P so, keep your fingers crossed that the dwarves and trolls will change for the better, not for worse. :-P

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/LBaixinh...Stuff/7018b.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/LBaixinh...Stuff/7018c.jpg

wow...i'm surprised. those are pretty good replicas. the cutlasses and flintlock gun are in chrome silver too!

do the parts feel like lego or cheap imitation?

To me, they also look like a cheap imitation. Have you looked at the printing? That's definitely not as high quality as genuine printed LEGO parts. But I do have to admit, the chrome swords are nice!

By the way, are you sure the second picture of the Viking ship is actually LEGO? It looks so different!

To me, they also look like a cheap imitation. Have you looked at the printing? That's definitely not as high quality as genuine printed LEGO parts. But I do have to admit, the chrome swords are nice!

By the way, are you sure the second picture of the Viking ship is actually LEGO? It looks so different!

Well im not sure now, lego printing and overall brick produtcion has gone down hill recently, i would say it looks very similar other than the fact lego is stamped on every stud

wow...i'm surprised. those are pretty good replicas. the cutlasses and flintlock gun are in chrome silver too!

do the parts feel like lego or cheap imitation?

The figures themselves feel quite cheap. The guns and little parts feel exactly like lego. The bricks feel much sturdier and are harder to take apart, they also hurt your fingers more

I don't blame Lego at all for trying to minimize leaking of the prototype pictures, but once they are out, its good for them to comment. After all they aren't going to unleak the pictures (taking pee out of the pool analogy again). Once they are out, they're out for good and may as well use it as a opportunity to demonstrate customer/fan service.

Yay for Lego... yay for beards... yay for new sets...

Steve