LEGO clone brand

[vexorian]

*sigh*

Vexorian, you talk of assumptions and suchlike. Why do you assume that these clones copy Lego set designs?

They are called clone because they "copy" the stud and tube method of connection.

I do not assume, I've said some clone brands are seriously lame and they clone designs as well as just the parts. I was obviously talking about the low end of the clones which you call bootlegs... Some even clone mega and oxford. I am sorry I do not share your jargon, I guess.

Clone Brands do not copy Lego set designs. They make their own. I do not see any Megablocks Pyrates matching Lego Pirates, Oxford's castles are all Korean styled and Best Lock's War in Space isn't like any Lego set.

If you read my posts I never said mega or oxford do that. In fact, I said I would work for mega ...

Enlighten, on the other hand, does copy Lego set designs outright (and Oxford and Best Lock) but they are Bootleggers. Just like the Transmorphable Truck King looks rather like Optimus Prime and the Super Mighty Ninja Team Changer Phone is a whole lot like a Power Rangers morpher. These sets are "exact" copies of older Lego sets. Bootleg, Fake, rip-off; these guys copy the real thing, manufacture it on the cheap and sell it for a fraction of price. These bootleggers are the only companies who do not design their sets.

Sigh, So much of a big deal over a language issue?

Edited March 8, 2010 by vexorian

[CP5670]

I wouldn't work for any of the companies in this capacity, as they would not pay enough compared to other, unrelated jobs I could do. If I actually wanted to get into the toy design industry though, I wouldn't mind working for any brick company, aside from the illegit ones. I might ask for a higher pay with companies other than TLG, simply because building with Lego would be more fun for me and carry an increased job satisfaction.

[Peppermint_M]

I do not assume, I've said some clone brands are seriously lame and they clone designs as well as just the parts. I was obviously talking about the low end of the clones which you call bootlegs... Some even clone mega and oxford. I am sorry I do not share your jargon, I guess.

Um, my jargon? This is the accepted definitions. A bootleg is a fake copy of a real thing. From a pirate DVD to a toy that has been made by reverse engineering a product from Mattel or LEGO. It is in the Clone Brand Index (as linked below), it is in the law (as in Customs will sieze bootlegs, but not clones of popular brands).

[5150 Lego]

But the original question did not make that assumption, did it? It just asked if you'd work for a clone brand. At least I could survive by keeping my day job instead...

There are also clone brands and clone brands. For some the designer job means "find a Lego set and copy the design" it is not going to be good for your resume if what you intend is working for LEGO or a clone brand with actual designs. And good luck asking for new molds in those that barely clone set designs. Also, if it is one of the very bad clones, the plastic will make it a very boring/depressing job for some of us.

Soo the question mentioned MB then yeah, definitely though I might get fired after spamming the suggestion box with 'let's improve plastic even if it raises cost" every once in a week :/ I really wish mega would get same or very close quality to LEGO it would make things better for everyone, for us and MB fans equally :)

By your response, your also assuming quite a bit. Peppmint M pretty much covered it, but i will add one thing. My "assumption" is based that on a situation where one is looking for work and the opportunity such as this came about. This is not unrealistic so i felt it proper in this particular situation.

Wow, 5150 Lego! I have absolutely no idea why you'd get so bothered by my response that you'd target every one of the 3 reasons I've come up with, but I'd like to assure you that being a set designer is definitely not a thing I've dreamed about, or ever considered taking up as an actual career choice.

I mirly used them as examples since the majority seemed to share your views. I assure you it doesn't bother me as much as it might have seemed . The career choice example is used was just that. An example. As i said in my previous post there are advantages to taking such a job. And while you said that being a set designer is in no way shape or form a career choice for you, the reasons you gave for not taking a job (to me at least) suggested it might.

That said, even if I did, I'm sure there are better ways to improve my skills than working for a rival company. From what I've seen, switching sides is pretty much accepted in some business areas and gets severely frowned upon in others. I don't think I'd be willing to take my chances with a company that I wouldn't enjoy working for in dire hopes that I'd get picked by LEGO some day based on my "expertise" as a set designer elsewhere.

While i would defiantly agree that working for "bootleg" brands probably wouldn't look well, having worked for direct competition "clone brands" should not hurt your chances of working for TLC. I've never heard of any company turning down a possible employee just because they worked for a competitor in the past. Regardless, its work experience in the field your in.

[badboytje88]

Wow I never guessed the poll would be around 40/60%!

Personally I would never turn down the offer. How many people get to do what they like best, and get paid for it! What would mater to me is wether it is a brand which uses clone LEGO bricks to build their own designs or wether it's a company that duplicates official lego sets. I would be more than willing to work for the first company. But I wouldn't consider working for the second.