Hello,

Sorry if this has been brought up before.

I've been biding on and buy a lot of Imperial Soldiers and Guards lately. And during my searches on eBay, I am always running across Lego clones/knock-offs. Would someone please post a detailed review with a side-by-side comparison of the original Lego minifigs and the knock-offs? I would like to see the torso and leg assembly removed and placed next to each other for comparison.

I have seen some of the reviews on here, but none of the reviews dissect the minifig so we can see what they look like from the inside or separated from the rest of the minifig.

I've been seeing a lot of Lego Imperial Soldier and Guard lots for sale on eBay, without accessories like hats and weapons (the only obvious ways to tell them apart for me). I've also been buying torso assemblies from Bricklink, and worried a knock-off might make it's way in those lots. I am also worried I may get official Lego torsos, but with printed Imperial sticker designs.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

Mister Phes made a comparison review of a clone set right here:

COMPARISON REVIEW: 6237 Pirates' Plunder, LEGO vs Brick

I own a few clonies, but i've never taken them out of their little box where i keep my clone bricks for later experiments.

I'll definitely do more side-by-side reviews as I come across clone brand sets, but I don't go out of my way to get them.

I own a few clonies, but i've never taken them out of their little box where i keep my clone bricks for later experiments.

You're not going to do mean things to them are you Phred?

Here is an example of what I am talking about.

Click here to see the auction.

The minifig is carrying a chrome cutlass and it's face and shoulders look a little off. The seller has LEGO in bold print above the picture. Isn't this fraud?

Tony

The minifig is carrying a chrome cutlass and it's face and shoulders look a little off. The seller has LEGO in bold print above the picture. Isn't this fraud?

That be one of them cloners alright.

I own a few of those swords, and that MF is definitely not Lego.

Notice how the left hand looks like it's falling off.

Clone brands are usually work only a portion of Lego, and this MF is much cheaper in BL.

I reported it as a fradulent item and I encourage others to do the same.

You're not going to do mean things to them are you Phred?

Of course i am!

I have no remorse mutilating the wretched clone bricks.

An official Lego brick requires at least one week of considering before getting modified.

I don't think i have yet to mutilate a precious lego brick.

I reported it as a fradulent item and I encourage others to do the same.

Good idea! I'm working on that right now.

I reported it as a fradulent item and I encourage others to do the same.

Exactly which procedure did you follow to make your report?

Clicked the "Report this item" link at the bottom,

http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Repo...15&active=1

I categorized it as Counterfeits and Other Copyright Violations > Other Potential Infringement

Some other categorizations might also be appropriate.

I'm really curious about the legality of these clone/imitation brands. Sure they're a direct rip off of official LEGO products but where is a reputable legal source that clearly states this is fraudulent? I realise a considerable amount of counterfeit LEGO was seized back in 2004 but other than reading it described as "counterfeit" there was little information to clarify what made it fraudulent. Was it a direct clone or were there differences? The chrome cutlass for example may be sufficient to denote the above mini-figure as a different product to that of LEGO.

Clicked the "Report this item" link at the bottom,

http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Repo...15&active=1

I categorized it as Counterfeits and Other Copyright Violations > Other Potential Infringement

Some other categorizations might also be appropriate.

Its funny how so many people think there the Police...This isnt Counterfeit or Illegal Copie because its been advertised across the Internet, Lego would have made a claim already.

I mean they have there own "Military theme" which Lego HASN'T done so I dont think it would be classed as fraud. Anyone is able to copy the Brick Idea and Mega Bloks have gotten away with it for years. And I think even the smallest change, such as no Equalettes or the Colour of the Cutlass would class as not a Copy in Court proberbly...

Its pretty good quality for young children to play with. Also you could use these sets Tricornes and Spanaird Conquistador helmets for Pirate mocs. It is just getting plain irritating seeing so many topics about Clone brands...

Yes, their out there, Face it.

Please dont keep recycling the Idea into like 5 diffrent topics.

(Sorry if I sound like a Admin which Im not)

Its funny how so many people think there the Police...This isnt Counterfeit or Illegal Copie because its been advertised across the Internet, Lego would have made a claim already.

I mean they have there own "Military theme" which Lego HASN'T done so I dont think it would be classed as fraud. Anyone is able to copy the Brick Idea and Mega Bloks have gotten away with it for years. And I think even the smallest change, such as no Equalettes or the Colour of the Cutlass would class as not a Copy in Court proberbly...

Its pretty good quality for young children to play with. Also you could use these sets Tricornes and Spanaird Conquistador helmets for Pirate mocs. It is just getting plain irritating seeing so many topics about Clone brands...

Yes, their out there, Face it.

Please dont keep recycling the Idea into like 5 diffrent topics.

(Sorry if I sound like a Admin which Im not)

You don't have to be the police to know the law, Joey, and you are no lawyer (typically, lawyers can spell and know the difference between "there", "their", and "they're"). Despite being advertised, it is still illegal. The producers of the clone sets are in China, though, where copyright laws are rarely enforced.

First, Lego already HAS made claims against these illegal copies because they violate international intellectual copyright laws. Customs authorities have been confiscating and destroying these bootlegs for years, including the big 2004 seizure mentioned earlier.

Second, the military theme is irrelevant. Even if it isn't a clone of Mega Bloks military sets, it doesn't make it okay for them to make clones of Lego pirate sets.

Its funny how so many people think there the Police...This isnt Counterfeit or Illegal Copie because its been advertised across the Internet, Lego would have made a claim already.

I mean they have there own "Military theme" which Lego HASN'T done so I dont think it would be classed as fraud. Anyone is able to copy the Brick Idea and Mega Bloks have gotten away with it for years. And I think even the smallest change, such as no Equalettes or the Colour of the Cutlass would class as not a Copy in Court proberbly...

Its pretty good quality for young children to play with. Also you could use these sets Tricornes and Spanaird Conquistador helmets for Pirate mocs. It is just getting plain irritating seeing so many topics about Clone brands...

Yes, their out there, Face it.

Please dont keep recycling the Idea into like 5 diffrent topics.

(Sorry if I sound like a Admin which Im not)

If you look at the description on the auction page, you will see that it states this is a Lego brand product. Click Here. Even though it is not. I believe that is plain fraud. My reason for initially posting this topic was so wouldn't be tricked into buying clone products when what I want are the originals. If they removed the leg assembly or torso from this example, how am I to tell if it is the real thing or not before I bid on it?

People (myself included) are paying a lot for Lego pirates, and having these clones around makes things harder. That being said, Lego is not currently producing the pirate theme, so the other brick producing companies are taking advantage of it. It really only hurts people like us that collect these old sets and minifigs, but all the children that want pirate sets now only have the clone companies or Megabloks to fill their demands.

I will be buying a clone set soon. I'm planning to do a small piece called "The Clone War" where my army hunts down the clones.

Tony