From BrickSet:

We know this is a controversial issue, one that people have very strong views on, but it is a long-standing policy here at Brickset that we won't use, post or link to 'leaked' images - principally those stamped as 'confidential', which have usually been copied from trade catalogues. This is our choice here at Brickset, and not something that has been forced on us by LEGO.

From time to time we received images of new sets that are not marked as 'confidential', which we post. Sometimes we are subsequently asked to remove them by LEGO. This has happened several times recently, most recently today, where images have been accidently released and should not, from LEGO's perspective, be in public view just yet.

LEGO have recently published an open letter from Jorgen Vig Knudstorp (CEO & President of LEGO) to the LEGO Fan community to express the company's views on the issue of leaked images, and to ask the Fan community to work with them to reduce the impact of these leaks - click this link to read the full letter (in Adobe Acrobat format). Have a read and let us know what you think ...

I'm guessing this also has to do with the Maersk train? I don't know what the LEGO fuzz is all about. Of course they don't want other companies to mimic their sets before they bring them to the market, but when I see the excitement about new sets here, that makes it part of the AFOL experience and even will help manage our budget, so it might even be that with less leaks some people will not buy certain sets when they already spent their budget on other sets. I guess if they want to rule out other companies they just need to focus on HQ materials (and not let them slide down like with the minifigs). Some weeks ago I saw some built Sluban sets at a gas station and boy, they are bad quality.

I'm guessing this also has to do with the Maersk train? I don't know what the LEGO fuzz is all about. Of course they don't want other companies to mimic their sets before they bring them to the market, but when I see the excitement about new sets here, that makes it part of the AFOL experience and even will help manage our budget, so it might even be that with less leaks some people will not buy certain sets when they already spent their budget on other sets. I guess if they want to rule out other companies they just need to focus on HQ materials (and not let them slide down like with the minifigs). Some weeks ago I saw some built Sluban sets at a gas station and boy, they are bad quality.

My point exactly. I was going to lay down the money for the Maersk Cargo Ship since it's available now but I like the train so much more. I'm not going to buy both. Have the opportunity to see upcoming sets allows for be to budget. Also I'm not sure what the big issue with this is. We've been told about the confidential watermarks for awhile now. Site have taken them down. This is barely new information. TLG just announced it in a news letter. In my opinion this is bringing up old information. I know sometimes that TLG asks that pictures without watermarks are removed and that has been done.

Also Jopie, I believe this topic is regarding the issues about leaked pictures. Not the rest of the article.

I saw this on BrickSet and would've replied, but it took me a while to get a password sent for my new account. Anyway, there's been some good discussion about it there. I'm torn. I completely understand LEGO's position and don't want to hurt TLG, but I'll admit that I love seeing leaked images. Judging from the excitement and discussion it generates amongst AFOLs, I'm not alone in this. We end up discussing the images, and while there's some level of folks saying they don't like what they see and won't buy it, by and large it's people talking it up, spreading the word, and getting the new products hyped up. I assume a lot of this excitement generated translates into sales. If anything, it's just another way that we gather to share our thoughts about our favorite hobby...it builds community. People get passionate about the images, but in the end you get a bunch of people frothing at the mouth...ready to spend more of their surplus income on ABS plastic. So yeah, I'm torn. If I were a business owner, in this competitive environment where people have so many different things to distract them away from your product on the internet, I'd think you'd want people excitedly chattering about your products months in advance, even if it means your competitors get wind of it as well. If I were them, I'd be more worried about the day when no one wants to see what they have in store for next season.

So yeah...torn.

I had a lot of fun when I read that message from TLG.

Whatever the pic I may get, I will share it as soon as possible, every where I can (EB and some other forums and websites).

And I really do not care if TLG do not like this.

The whole AFOL community do a GREAT promotion for the Lego brand throughout the world (with websites, events, MOCs, etc). So, TLG, just do not annoy us with some pics which are released a little earlier than what you expected !!

I'm guessing this also has to do with the Maersk train?

No, this article mentions the watermarked leaked images. The Maersk train images are final, without the watermark. Someone probably posted scans of the Product Catalog to Brickset. (again)

Honestly, no matter how ridiculous it sounds, I understand where TLG is coming from. I think they're less concerned about the AFOLs and more about potential future customers who might fall for the cheap clone brands if the clone brands can get a set out fast enough. They can't control every website on the 'Net, so they're appealing to the responsible AFOLs to help them out.

I'm sure TLG knows that AFOLs will probably save a copy anyways for private use to discuss, so I don't think they're concerned about losing interest.

Of course, I don't really expect this to affect the people who continue to post images that much, since they'll create new accounts and/or find different site to post on, but it is understandable.

Whatever the pic I may get, I will share it as soon as possible, every where I can (EB and some other forums and websites).

It may be worth noting at this point our image-posting guidelines.

If you find an image of a new LEGO set and it is incredibly blurry or stamped "Confidential", it is a leak-please don't post it here. If you are uncertain, PM a member of the staff for guidance and include a link to the questionable material.

It is against EB policy to post pictures which are marked in the way outlined in this pdf.

I have also renamed this thread, "Pleas read this" is a little presumptuous BrickWild.

I have also renamed this thread, "Pleas read this" is a little presumptuous BrickWild.

Thanks! May this thread be pinned?

No, this article mentions the watermarked leaked images. The Maersk train images are final, without the watermark. Someone probably posted scans of the Product Catalog to Brickset. (again)

I think he refers to this section, note the word not, that might point to the picture of the train:

"From time to time we received images of new sets that are not marked as 'confidential', which we post. Sometimes we are subsequently asked to remove them by LEGO."

And I can certainly understan where TLG is coming from. One of the things I am most surprised about on this forum is the incredible amount of negativity when a preliminary picture shows up. Especially on the Star Wars front. It constantly amazes me how some people fall over each other trying to bash something that is clearly not a finished product.

Thanks! May this thread be pinned?

We do not pin general threads, so no, sorry.

I was going to lay down the money for the Maersk Cargo Ship since it's available now but I like the train so much more. I'm not going to buy both.

Which is kind of TLG's point. Had you not seen the Maersk train, you'd have bought the Cargo Ship. Then when the train was announced you might have decided to buy that too. By information leaking out early it can harm sales of current products.

As much as I love seeing leaked pictures, I can see why TLG get annoyed at scans from dealer catalogues getting out early when there is very little they can do to prevent it. In the case of things like the Maersk train set, where someone has plucked them out of the image cache on TLG's own servers I can't help but think they perhaps deserve it for not controlling their own IT setup properly.

The Maersk train is probably something which has caused a bit of pain. Imagine if this is only going to be for select Maersk customers - or competitions - and then everyone gets to hear about it and add's it to their wanted list... However since the same image also appeared on a few NL shop sites, with information not provided on the brickset site, then it is more likely some companies / individuals ignored an 'embargo' which is often placed on pre-releasing information.

Confidential images as appearing for PotC are a different matter - the models may be months away from completion and final changes being undertaken / testing / and licensing issues!

Imagine the models will not be officially released for 9 months - but children start asking for it on birthday present lists already? There certainly will be some parents who get given pictures / links and wont understand the model is not yet available for little Mr Precocious, and will get angry with TLG for not providing x,y,z.

In the end TLG listen to AFOL's and do what they can to make excellent models which we can all enjoy - either as AFOL or KFOL. Publically postulating over what pieces the set might or might not contain or how it is technically built may be very fun for AFOL's (and I for one enjoyed this on 10219) it does not help improve the model or TLG customer relations.

Exclusive models are exclusive for a reason... lets publically debate new sets once they are available for preorder (and this is something I will start from now). Beside, then you get the zoom images as well!

This is not something unique to Lego, by a long shot. In fact, the timing is amazing; just yesterday, Capcom began to pull YouTube videos of Evil Ryu and Oni Akuma in Super Street Fighter 4's Arcade Edition, and contact arcades where the characters were being played. They weren't supposed to be unlocked for another few weeks, but somebody managed to break the unlock code. Crucially, they weren't due for release until after the launch of Marvel vs Capcom 3, which is the game Capcom wants people to be hyped about right now. Capcom have been taking a lot of heat, with several major Youtube channels being barred for multiple "innocent" violations and accusations of censorship flying all around.

A few years ago, a very well-known Magic: the Gathering rumour miller was taken to court by WotC for posting leaked cards about a year before the street release. His site was and still is the #1 Magic community base on the internet so this was huge. He's still legally barred from possessing or spreading leaked info about their products.

The point it, companies like this put a tremendous amount of thought and energy into planning a release schedule, and making sure that every release can maximise its impact. An unfortunate leak can destroy hundreds of hours of effort, damage marketing campaigns and impact sales. They've every right to control how their stuff reaches the public eye.

Edited January 25, 201114 yr by Dunjohn

I have to say that even though having a first glance at a set is always AWESOME, watermarked or not, but I support LEGO in their statement.

After all thinking about it "it's just good business" as Lord Cutler Beckett would ahve said!

Lego is trying to protect it's product/investment past, current and especially future sets. I for one wil report any leaked images I see as I would like for LEGO to continue to produce quality toys for many more decades.

Pirate

Another thing that might be affecting TLG's actions here is the fact that in most legal systems, if you do not take routine actions to protect intellectual property, your position is considerably weakened when and if you have to take someone to court. In other words, if TLG don't stand on their right to keep these images protected now, their case will be much weaker if they ever need to send out actual cease and desist orders, or take a clone company to court for duplicating a set design.

I agree with Anio on this, although I don't really have a problem with TLG for their stance. They are simply doing what they think is in their own interests. However, what is good for TLG is not necessarily good for me, and I care about myself, not TLG's profits. (the point someone made about the Maersk train and ship is one example where this can happen)

The argument about leaked images not being finalized is an often made but spurious one, as I can hardly think of any cases where we actually had major changes between the leaked images and the final product. The vast majority of sets come out just as they looked in the preliminary images.

They've every right to control how their stuff reaches the public eye.

It's more accurate to say that they have every right to try to control that. However, the internet simply does not work that way. It always remains trivial to find any leaked pictures you like despite their efforts.

Blurry leaked images only raise more attention and allow for speculation - all of this should make for good sales.

Moreover, I personally love to get a glimpse of sets, even if they are not finalized.

Lastly, i think it is part of the yearly ritual that images appear and get taken of the internet as soon as possible. I kind of like it. As a Kingdoms fan, there are only few moments where real new sets ccome out, so I need something to keep me busy

I was going to lay down the money for the Maersk Cargo Ship since it's available now but I like the train so much more. I'm not going to buy both.

I think this sums up TLG's fears. I was going to purchase a lego product, but then a leaked image kept me from doing so.